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Canada's great, shareable storiesFri, 18 Aug 2017 04:53:02 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.com/http://1.gravatar.com/blavatar/15edae77ebfa450ee5bb897103fdef31?s=96&d=http%3A%2F%2Fs2.wp.com%2Fi%2Fbuttonw-com.pngPage not found – canada.comhttp://o.canada.com
Sailing in laid-back style through Montenegro, Indonesiahttp://o.canada.com/travel/sailing-in-laid-back-style-through-montenegro-indonesia
http://o.canada.com/travel/sailing-in-laid-back-style-through-montenegro-indonesia#respondWed, 16 Aug 2017 22:27:07 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=765015]]>I became enamoured with G Adventures earlier this year, when I sailed down India’s Ganges River with the Toronto-based company. It was a spectacular, culturally enriching tour undertaken with a small group of like-minded travellers, all at a price that didn’t break the bank. G Adventures has long offered a wide assortment of high-value tours by land, but you might not be aware of just how many kinds of adventures it offers on the oceans and rivers of the world.

G Adventures offers small-ship, small-group adventure cruises around the world. They’re the kind of trip that appeals, readily, to those who wouldn’t normally identify themselves as “cruisers.” To be sure, these are not big ships by any stretch. The company’s laid-back sailing tours are operated on small catamarans, power boats and sail boats, each of which typically holds between eight and 14 guests.

Now, G Adventures has just introduced a ‘first-of-its-kind’ sailing adventure along the coast of Montenegro, as well as a brand new sailing voyage through Indonesia. These two new itineraries join the company’s portfolio of sailing voyages that travel to the British Virgin Islands, Croatia, Cuba, Greece and Thailand.

In Montenegro, G Adventures’ new Montenegro Sailing trip will depart round-trip from Dubrovnik, Croatia aboard an eight-guest sailing ship. Over the course of eight days, guests will traverse the Dalmatian coast, visiting UNESCO World Heritage sites, small fishing villages, and the regional nightlife capital of Budva — which just happens to be 2,500 years old. The company tells me its 2017 departures sold out fast, but that 2018 sailings operating between May and September still have availability.

Over in Indonesia, a larger, 12-guest catamaran will depart round-trip from Bali. This week-long sailing adventure explores the coast of Bali and Lombok and offers the opportunity to explore the Gili Islands, as well as the chance to indulge in a wealth of snorkelling and kayaking tours, visits to beachfront bars, and yoga sessions. Or, pretty much exactly what you think of when you picture an idyllic sailing trip around Southeast Asia.

These Indonesian itineraries operate until November of this year, and resume again in June 2018. There’s still some availability on this run for fall departures, and pricing is particularly good in October and November.

Pricing for the Montenegro sailing starts at $1,599 per person, while the Indonesia sailings are going from $1,999 per person. All prices are, naturally, subject to change and will vary depending on sailing date and availability.

According to G Adventures’ global sailing manager, Vince Donnelly, sailing trips are the ideal vacation choice for travellers as they offer the opportunity to do as much — or as little — as you want.

“Some travellers are keen to learn the ins and outs of sailing from our team of experienced skippers, whereas others are happy to relax and watch the world go by, before arriving to their next port of call or barely inhabited island,” says Donnelly. “While we sell a set itinerary, it’s up to the skipper and the group if they fancy taking a detour to a special island off the beaten track for a picnic on the beach, which is what makes G Adventures’ sailing tours so popular.”

Some things to consider with these runs: airfare is an extra purchase, and sailboat accommodations are small and more basic than your traditional cruise ship. G Adventures does a great job of managing expectations with its dedicated Marine: Expedition Cruising & Sailing Adventures brochure, which has deck plans of its sailing ships, along with plenty of photographs, features, staterooms, and need-to-know itinerary information.

In addition to the company’s small-ship sailing adventures around the world, G Adventures also offers a full program of river cruises on the canals of France, India’s Ganges River, the Mekong River through Vietnam and Cambodia, and along the fabled Amazon River. As well, the company is providing small-ship voyages that traverse the Galápagos Islands, with different price-points and classes of service on each vessel.

On the more expensive end of the scale, you also set out on full-fledged expedition cruises with G Adventures, aboard the 134-guest Expedition. You’ll find the distinctive red-hulled ship cruising the Arctic, Antarctic, and South America, accompanied by a knowledgeable team of expedition staff.

Happy cruising.

Portsandbows.com, sponsored by Expedia CruiseShipCenters, 1-800-707-7327, www.cruiseshipcenters.com, for daily updates on the latest cruise news, best deals and behind-the-scenes stories from the industry. You can also sign up for an email newsletter on the site for even more cruise information. Aaron Saunders may be contacted directly at portsandbowsaaron@gmail.com

While agents from U.S. Fish and Wildlife lured a smuggler to a storage facility in New York’s Bronx neighbourhood with the promise of $400,000 worth of illegal rhino horns as part of a sting operation, Sheldon Jordan readied his team to raid the man’s warehouse in Canada.

The smuggling ring’s Richmond, B.C., headquarters was posing as an antique auction house, where police found piles of illegal ivory, rhino horns and coral. Animal parts were stored next to 50,000 tablets of ecstasy, bags of marijuana and cocaine.

Wildlife trafficking is a global phenomenon. Most people think of shark fins and elephant tusks on black markets in East Asia, but Jordan, director general of wildlife enforcement at Environment Canada, says it’s much closer to home. He’s is in charge of rooting it out across the country.

Jordan recovered a laptop during the sting that mapped out an illegal network of suppliers and buyers stretching across borders, proof of Canada’s connection to a global animal trafficking market that’s also tied to guns and drugs.

Black market prices have skyrocketed to meet growing demand in recent years, leading to a surge in trafficking of everything from exotic timber to the scaly pangolin, the world’s most poached animal. Conservative estimates value the industry at US$91 billion annually.

With lax international regulation and the promise of huge profits, criminal networks have been quick to capitalize.

A pangolin is released into the wild by Natural Resources Conservation Agency [The Associated Press]

“Animals and plants are just another low-risk, high-reward commodity for transnational organized crime” explains kelvin Alie, executive vice president of the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

While the world focuses on the usual suspects in Africa and Asia, Canada has quietly become both a destination and a source country. Turtles, lizards and birds are smuggled here for collectors. Polar bear hides and narwhal tusks, prized as trophies, and bear gall bladders and wild ginseng valued for medicinal purposes, are illegally exported.

Often seen as victimless, wildlife crime struggles to capture the attention it deserves.

Beyond the destruction of ecosystems and devastation of animal populations, it can spark violence and unrest, creating the conditions for poverty, hunger and draught, leading to human casualties, explains Jordan.

Media — and the U.S. State Department — tend to pay attention to environmental crime only when it’s connected to terrorism. The Lord’s Resistance Army in the Congo trades ivory for arms and al-Shabbab’s insurgency in Somalia is financed partly by illegal coal mining.

Media — and the U.S. State Department — tend to pay attention to environmental crime only when it’s connected to terrorism.

Alie says the connection to terrorism is overblown. Instead, governments should focus on criminals and corruption to dismantle the trading networks that breed violent crime.

That is exactly what Environment Canada is doing with a pilot project launched last year to crack down on the polar bear trade.

Using microchips to track animals, enforcement officers follow the supply chain to ensure polar bears are hunted and purchased legally. Jordan hopes to share this tactic and technology with other nations to help safeguard their animal populations.

“This is a problem that grew very quickly, like a grass fire,” says Jordan.

He says Canadians need to understand that wildlife trafficking isn’t confined to faraway jungles. It’s big business for major criminal networks and it’s happening right here in Canada.

Craig and Marc Kielburger are the co-founders of the WE movement, which includes WE Charity, ME to WE Social Enterprise and WE Day. For more dispatches from WE, check out WE Stories.

“You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows,” Bob Dylan sang. But these days, a guide through the seemingly endless flurry of pop culture offerings is just what we need. With that in mind, here is what’s on the radar screen in TV, music and film for the coming week.

MOVIES

Big releases on Aug. 18: The Hitman’s Bodyguard.

Big picture: Variations on the odd-couple, buddy-cop action comedy all feel tired and exhausted. However, the “Samuel L. Jackson looks bug-eyed while shouting and swearing constantly” genre has seemingly limitless energy. Enter The Hitman’s Bodyguard, in which a renowned protection agent (Ryan Reynolds) is tasked with guarding the life of his arch-enemy — an infamous assassin (Jackson). Killers, gunfights and high-speed chases are played for laughs, but most of humour is found at Jackson’s expense. Reynold’s hero takes the hitman — and the actor’s own one-note persona — to task with lines like, “He has single-handedly ruined the word motherf—–.” and “Why are we always yelling?” Gary Oldman steals scenes as a vicious Eastern European dictator.

Forecast: It’s mid-August and the must-see blockbusters are behind us. Go outside. Moviegoers will save this one for a rainy day, so the studio execs may be the only ones praying for more summer rain.

Big picture: This Netflix original unites the gritty, adult Marvel heroes from their own respective series. When lawyer Matthew Murdoch (a.k.a. Daredevil) bails supercharged detective Jessica Jones out of custody, a fearsome foursome begins to assemble. Next comes “Harlem’s hero” Luke Cage and, last and definitely least (at least in terms of critic and fan reaction), “the immortal Ironfist.” This comic-book drama promises a war for New York. Expect a healthy combination of ass-kicking and wisecracking, and higher stakes than on any of the hero’s solo shows. When the good guys team up, the bad guys need to get wildly bigger and badder. Just watch an Avengers movie.

Meanwhile, Marlon continues the seemingly endless trend of semi-autobiographical sitcoms named after the first or last name of their lead comedian. Is it too much to ask comedians to act? You know … to pretend to be someone else? Tired of making tiresome Wayans Bros. comedy movies (see Scary Movie 1 through 2, White Chicks etc.), Marlon Wayans plays a divorced dad and minor-league curser (at least in comparison to Samuel L Jackson).

Forecast: The Defenders are the real fantastic four and will make you wish more Marvel and DC superheroes could be serialized on the small screen after taking off their kiddie gloves.

Honourable mention: Bachelor in Paradise (Aug. 14, ABC/City). The “paradise” should be in quotation marks given the dark cloud hanging over this show’s fourth season, which had to halt production due to an investigation into a controversial sexual encounter between two contestants. Two producers filed complaints, questioning whether a female participant gave consent. Hmmm. A morally questionable franchise based on attractive, fame-hungry people being isolated in paradisiacal locations and encouraged to be sexy, drink heavily, hook up with multiple partners and compete for camera time. What could go wrong?

Grizzle Bear, Painted Ruins [Handout]

MUSIC

Big release on Aug. 18: Grizzly Bear (Painted Ruins).

Big picture: When Grizzly Bear broke through the indie-band clutter around 2006, I had initially hoped they were a band of musically trained animals. Years later, I’ve got over my deep disappointment. The talented group’s first album in four years is worth the wait. Their lo-fi psych folk is the perfect swan song to summer with its heady mix of synth, loops, guitar fuzz and genre-bending percussion.

Forecast: You may recall their 2009 hit, Two Weeks, every time you see a Volkswagen. I predict at least one car-commercial track will emerge off Painted Ruins (though, thankfully for automobile makers, there’s no title track).

Honourable mention: Ray Wylie Hubbard (Tell the Devil I’m Gettin’ There as Fast as I Can). It takes an old-guard, venerable country singer to come up with this kind of album title. Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard would be proud.

]]>http://o.canada.com/entertainment/pop-forecast-for-aug-14-the-hitmans-bodyguard-and-more/feed0Film Review The Hitman's Bodyguardpostmedianews1Marvel's The DefendersGrizzle Bear, Painted Ruins Montreal a major ‘turnaround’ port for eastern voyageshttp://o.canada.com/travel/montreal-a-major-turnaround-port-for-eastern-voyages
http://o.canada.com/travel/montreal-a-major-turnaround-port-for-eastern-voyages#respondWed, 09 Aug 2017 18:09:24 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=764965]]>We’re coming up on what is arguably the best time to visit the Canadian Maritimes. The bulk of Canada and New England cruises operate from late August until late October, and while some purely concentrate on the eastern seaboard, there are plenty of Canada and New England voyages that depart from and arrive from the beautiful city of Montreal.

Over the past few years, Montreal has become a major “turnaround” port for Eastern Canada — that is, a port where passengers from one voyage disembark, while another group of guests embarks for the next cruise. The city also has a swanky new cruise terminal to welcome visitors, with Holland America Line’s (cruise.center/holland) Maasdam being the first to dock at the terminal when it opened in June. The 1,258-guest ship has been a staunch favourite on the east coast for years, regularly operating week-long cruises between Montreal and Boston.

This year, Maasdam is joined by her sister, Veendam, and fleetmate Rotterdam in offering cruises that explore Quebec, the St. Lawrence River and the Canadian Maritimes. Holland America will be making seven departures from Montreal alone this year between Sept. 1 and Oct. 14. These are fantastic voyages, and Holland America knows this region well. Holland America is the only “big ship” line to actually offer cruises departing from Montreal, though it’s worth noting that other big ship lines, such as Celebrity, Norwegian and Princess Cruises offer departures from Quebec City.

Luxury lines Seabourn and Silversea both offer voyages departing from Montreal this fall. Seabourn sends its 450-guest Seabourn Quest on a 10-day voyage between Montreal and Boston that offers port calls in Quebec City, Saguenay (Que.), Baie-Comeau (Que.), Gasp (Que.), Charlottetown, Halifax, and Bar Harbor (Maine). Departing on Sept. 12 and Oct. 2, these two voyages are supplemented by a third sailing on Oct. 22 — a one-off voyage from Montreal to Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Silversea, meanwhile, brings its brand-new, 596-guest Silver Muse to town on Sept. 28, for its inaugural visit to the city. Silver Muse will set sail that evening for Halifax before cruising the eastern seaboard of the United States, with visits to Portland (Maine), Boston, New York, Norfolk (Va.), and Savannah (Ga.), before arriving in Fort Lauderdale.

Some cool things about Silver Muse’s first visit to Montreal: you can sail on a special seven-day voyage from St. John’s, N.L., to Montreal on Sept. 21; or pick up the ship in Montreal for a quick five-day jaunt down to Boston as part of her longer sailing to Fort Lauderdale. Silversea’s elegant 382-guest Silver Whisper also returns this year for a series of 11-day voyages between Montreal and New York.

Also on the list of new-and-noteworthy ships offering turnaround days in Montreal is Viking Ocean Cruises’ (cruise.center/vikingsea) new Viking Sky, which was just christened in June in Norway. She’ll head across the Atlantic from Bergen, Norway to Montreal on a sold-out 15-day In the Wake of the Vikings transatlantic crossing — though the same voyage on her sister, Viking Sea, still has some staterooms available on her Sept. 17 departure from Bergen.

Passengers arriving and departing from Montreal’s new cruise terminal will find plenty to enjoy right at the pier, thanks to the Port’s new History of Ships exhibition that opened to the public in July. Models of ships of all kinds, along with information on the history of shipping in Montreal and Quebec, and the history of the Port of Montreal, are showcased in this unique space located on the cruise terminal’s second floor.

“We are delighted to help Montrealers, and visitors, discover the Port of Montreal’s rich history through this exhibition for free. History of Ships aims to raise interest in our city’s maritime heritage and to showcase the benefits and value brought by the Port of Montreal. The year 2017 is a great opportunity to remember the bonds uniting the destinies of the Port, the City of Montreal and Canada,” said Sylvie Vachon, president and chief executive of the Montreal Port Authority.

Taking a fall cruise doesn’t have to involve long flights and far-flung embarkation ports. These fall Canada and New England sailings from Quebec are a great opportunity to explore the unique cities and maritime culture that exist right in our own backyard.

Happy cruising.

Portsandbows.com, sponsored by Expedia CruiseShipCenters, 1-800-707-7327, www.cruiseshipcenters.com, for daily updates on the latest cruise news, best deals and behind-the-scenes stories from the industry. You can also sign up for an email newsletter on the site for even more cruise information. Aaron Saunders may be contacted directly at portsandbowsaaron@gmail.com

Whenever I’m pressed to say what my favourite time of year to take a European river cruise is, I invariably come up with the same response: December. It is during the last month of the year that Europe’s famous Christmas Markets are on full display throughout much of France, Germany, Austria and Hungary, and cups of piping-hot glühwein (mulled wine) keep the chill out of the air.

Typically held between Nov. 25 and Dec. 24, these Christmas Markets are almost exclusively outdoor gigs, held in the town’s central square. In major cities, like Vienna, more than a dozen different markets are on offer, each with their own unique wares, food, drinks, and atmosphere on offer.

Germany, Regensburg, view of Christmas market []

My inaugural European river cruise just happened to be a Christmas Markets voyage, and I’ve been hooked on these fabulous sailings ever since. They’ve become something of a tradition for me, and I’ve done my best to impart that tradition on family and friends as well. Not only that, but in recent years I’ve met an increasing number of couples and families with grown children on these winter sailings who all say the same thing: the voyage itself is their gift to each other; a tradition they repeat as often as possible.

To be sure, a river cruise along the Rhine or the Danube sure beats scraping the car windows, or fighting for that last parking spot at the mall. Perhaps that’s why these sailings sell out well in advance; some of the best holiday river cruises this year are already completely sold out, or have limited availability as I write this.

Because of that, Emerald Waterways (cruise.center/emerald) is offering some pretty great reasons to book one of its 2018 Christmas Markets river cruises in Europe. Sailings booked between now and Oct. 31 can save approximately $400 per couple on the line’s eight-day river cruises, and up to $800 per couple for its 15-day flagship river cruises.

Emerald’s 15-day Christmas Markets of Europe river cruise is a real winner, particularly if this is your first time river cruising or visiting these festive holiday markets. Departing from Amsterdam on Dec. 4, 2018, this one-off sailing travels from the Netherlands to Germany, where stops are made in Cologne, Rudesheim, Miltenberg, Wertheim, Wurzburg, Bamburg, Nuremberg, Regensburg and Passau before continuing on through Austria and, finally, Hungary.

Nuremberg’s sprawling (and jam-packed) Christmas Market may be the most frequently-photographed in all of Europe, but I prefer the quieter markets in Passau and Regensburg; the latter of which has a fabulous secondary market at Schloss Thurn und Taxis. Within easy walking distance of your river cruise ship, this so-called Romantic Christmas Market has wooden stalls, open fire pits and one of the coziest atmospheres of any market in Europe. That it’s set on the sprawling grounds of Schloss St. Emmeram (St. Emmeram Palace), doesn’t hurt, either.

Amazingly, the lowest-category stateroom on board this sailing already shows as sold out — even though it is 16 months away.

For 2018, Emerald Waterways is also offering its eight-night Danube Delights & Christmas Markets sailings from Budapest to Nuremberg or reverse; its week-long Danube Explorer Christmas Markets from Munich to Budapest; and the massive combination itinerary, Paris to Prague & the Christmas Markets of Europe River Cruise that spans 21 days in length.

If you’ve never heard of Emerald Waterways, consider this your chance to get acquainted. Sporting sleek interior decor and cool features like an aft-facing swimming pool that turns into a glass-enclosed cinema by night, Emerald has made a name for itself by including things that other river cruise lines don’t. Airport to ship transfers, gratuities, and a selection of daily shore excursions and beverages, all are included in the price of the cruise.

Founded in 2013 as the more affordable offering from Australia-based Scenic, the line now sports a fleet of seven modern river cruise ships, all built in the last four years.

If you’re lucky, you still might be able to snag a 2017 holiday river cruise departure. If not, this is the best time to plan to spend the holidays in 2018 overseas in Europe, floating down the Danube in style with Emerald Waterways.

Happy cruising.

Portsandbows.com, sponsored by Expedia CruiseShipCenters, 1-800-707-7327, http://www.cruiseshipcenters.com, for daily updates on the latest cruise news, best deals and behind-the-scenes stories from the industry. You can also sign up for an email newsletter on the site for even more cruise information. Aaron Saunders may be contacted directly at portsandbowsaaron@gmail.com.

“You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows,” Bob Dylan sang. But these days, a guide through the seemingly endless flurry of pop culture offerings is just what we need. With that in mind, here is what’s on the radar screen in TV, music and film for the coming week.

Big picture: It’s Chucky meets Pinocchio. In Annabelle: Creation, summer moviegoers are treated to the origin story of the demonic doll. It all starts with a doll maker and his wife who lost their little girl in a tragic accident. (That’s when the poor decision-making kicks in.) When their girl’s spirit asks them to build a doll she can live in forever, they naturally say “Sure!” Later, they build an orphanage and welcome other little girls into their haunted little family. (About the only mistake this couple doesn’t make is taking a communications job in the Donald Trump administration. But I predict the film’s doll maker could soon be named secretary of education.)

Meanwhile, The Nut Job 2 makes me wonder if all animated sequels should be word plays on hip-hop groups. Can Zootopia: N. W. A or Moana 2: Destiny’s Child be far off? In this squirrelly sequel, Surly Squirrel (Will Arnett) and the gang are back, this time to fight a greedy mayor for the right to be nutty in their new urban home, Liberty Park. Expect environmental and protest messages hidden beneath all the furry puns.

Forecast: I predict Nut Job 3 will star Jack Nicholson as Surly’s dad — and be called One Flew Over the Squirrel’s Nest.

Big picture: SNL isn’t back until Sept. 30, but fans can get their fix of the re-energized (thank Mr. Trump) show’s laughs this summer with a four-week, half-hour telecast of the show’s popular satirical news segment (thank Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert), currently hosted by cast members Jost and Che. The two anchors will be bolstered by the guest appearances of other SNL cast members.

Meanwhile, Netflix’s Atypical is an atypical family comedy that features Jennifer Jason Leigh as the mother of an autistic teenager (Keir Gilchrist). The sitcom comes from two of the minds between The Goldbergs, an atypical network TV comedy in that it’s actually funny.

Forecast: SNL will offer a much-need dose of summer comedy. On a side note, if Mike Myers can “play” a game-show host on The Gong Show, why can’t fictional throwback newsman Ron Burgundy get a job in the real news business? If this wacky, new four-anchor The National thing doesn’t work it, I predict the CBC may come a-calling for Will Ferrell’s fake-news services.

Honourable mention: White Gold (Aug. 11, Netflix). It’s The Office meets Mad Men meets door-to-door sale shenanigans. This ’80-set British dramedy is about a band of professional con artists — also known as window salesmen. Sample lie/pitch: “President Reagan has a fallout shelter made entirely out of our windows.”

Kesha [Getty Images]

MUSIC

Big release on Aug. 10: Kesha (Rainbow).

Big picture: I assume the many colours of Kesha’s eye makeup inspired this album. The 30-year-old hitmaker returns after a long, messy legal battle with her former manager and producer. This is her first effort since 2002; I imagine the low profile has allowed America’s glitter industry to replenish its depleted stocks.

For Kesha, this album is personal, and it finds a vulnerable artist channelling her pain through music. What emerges is a self-aware adult pop star ready to take the next step in her career.

Moreover, she has excellent help. Most notably, the Dap Kings’ horns back her in the raucous Woman, a heated response to Trump’s infamous “grab her in the …” comments that emerged during the election campaign. Ben Folds contributes orchestral arrangements to the title track, which was apparently inspired by the Beach Boy’s Pet Sounds. Kesha even toys with country twang in the song Bastards.

Forecast: First, she ditched the money sign in her name. Now, she’s showing increasing maturity as an artist. Kesha deserves her pot of gold at the end of Rainbow.

]]>http://o.canada.com/entertainment/pop-forecast-for-aug-7-annabelle-creation-weekend-update-and-more/feed0Annabelle Wallispostmedianews1Saturday Night LiveKesha Global Voices: Autism in girls is often under the radarhttp://o.canada.com/life/global-voices-autism-in-girls-is-often-under-the-radar
http://o.canada.com/life/global-voices-autism-in-girls-is-often-under-the-radar#respondTue, 01 Aug 2017 06:11:48 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=764873]]>When it comes to autism, early intervention is best.

“We get the families started as early as possible,” says founding director Dr. Catherine Lord. There’s one hitch in this plan, she adds: “It’s a rare day when there’s a girl.”

For decades, medical consensus presumed autism as a predominantly male condition, a result of an “extreme male brain.” Studies were cited that it affects boys at a rate four times higher than girls. That thinking is starting to change.

New research has uncovered a blind spot for women and girls on the spectrum, a gender bias that leaves them undiagnosed.

A complex neurobiological condition, autism is a spectrum of characteristics that are different in every individual. To complicate matters, there are no brain scans or blood tests to diagnose autism.

In the absence of physical tests, doctors rely on behavioural assessments that come with their own biases. Right from the outset, doctors focused on boys because they tended to exhibit the most obvious signs of atypical behaviour, says Gina Rippon, a leading neuroscientist and professor of cognitive neuroimaging at the Aston Brain Centre in the U.K.

This included a disinterest in socializing.

New research has uncovered a blind spot for women and girls on the spectrum, a gender bias that leaves them undiagnosed.

Young boys are stereotypically rowdy and sociable. So when boys obsess with maps or avoid group play in favour of time alone, society recognizes that behaviour as neurologically atypical, a symptom of their need to categorize and find routine. When girls fixate on dolls or books, when they’re obsessively neat or shy and quiet, that’s seen as normal — deferential female behaviour.

Early focus on so-called boys’ behaviours set the parameters for what doctors came to think of as autism. While girls and boys on the extreme end of the spectrum share behavioural patterns and are diagnosed in roughly equal numbers, girls on the less extreme end, whose autism manifests differently than boys, have slipped under the radar.

“It’s become a self-fulfilling prophecy,” says Rippon.

It’s not uncommon for parents to be told their daughters can’t be on the spectrum, according to Beth Finkelstein, executive director of Felicity House, an autism support group for women. Girls are often misdiagnosed with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD); doctors who still think of autism as a disproportionally male condition often look for other explanations. As a result, girls may miss out on early interventions.

A correct diagnosis brings with it an ecosystem of support, from educational accommodations to social services. For many, there is also a sense of community. Rippon, Finkelstein and Lord have each met women diagnosed later in life who found relief in the knowledge.

“Knowing that other people experience the world in a similar way is incredibly helpful,” says Lord.

As new research — and vocal parents — expand how we think about autism in girls, doctors are creating new services to meet their needs, from amending diagnostic tools to new guidebooks that help navigate puberty and social relationships.

With more understanding and attention, the lost girls on the autism spectrum will not be lost for long.

Craig and Marc Kielburger are the co-founders of theWE movement,which includes WE Charity, ME to WE Social Enterprise and WE Day. For more dispatches from WE, check out WE Stories.

“You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows,” Bob Dylan sang. But these days, a guide through the seemingly endless flurry of pop culture offerings is just what we need. With that in mind, here is what’s on the radar screen in TV, music and film for the coming week.

MOVIES

Big Releases on Aug. 4: The Dark Tower

Big Picture: Imagine the last knight at an empty round table – armed with two guns instead of a sword. Meet the last Gunslinger, Roland (Idris Elba), a cross between an Arthurian knight, a Jedi and a cowboy – who just happens to live in a burnt-out, mystical Mad Maxian wasteland. Along with the help of a human boy from Manhattan, our champion Gunslinger engages in an epic battle with the Man in Black (Matthew McConaughey). They both seek control over the fate of The Dark Tower, a powerful, dangerous source of energy that holds the universe/reality together. At stake: not only the Gunslinger’s world, but also our own.

This is the long-awaited adaptation of what critics (and the author himself), see as Stephen King’s true masterpiece. The only downside? McConaughey looks like a slick-haired ‘80s bassist – not a mad Merlin or Faustian Devil. However, Elba, always larger than life, carries the weight of many worlds on his shoulders in every frame.

Forecast: Ride on Gunslinger. Finally, a new fantasy franchise worth saddling up for. (On a side note: I expect Donald Trump will soon re-deploy most of American’s military resources to finding the Dark Tower; after all, fact and fiction are indistinguishable to this president).

Big Picture: 21 Thunder is Friday Night Lights meets a sport the world (not just North America), actually cares about. This sports drama centres on a fictional famous soccer academy (Thunder U21), based in Montreal. Enjoy the on-and-off field antics and scandal in a drama that bills itself as, “a story of love, crime, race, sex and athletic glory.”

The magnetic Canuck actor Colm Feore guest stars as a crime boss with family ties to a rising, young soccer star.

Meanwhile, “it’s raining sharks, hallelujah!” After destroying most of America, falling sharks are devouring everything from the Great Wall and the pyramids to Big Ben. Tara Reid and Ian Ziering return as the heroic couple that always stops the toothy menaces (the actors, after all, must earn their once-a-year pay cheques). New guest stars include Olivia Newton-John, skateboarder Tony Hawk, and Fabio (playing the Pope). Silly indeed.

Forecast: Another Sharknado is always reason to dive into your comfy chair. It’s the ultimate summer silliness in the silliest of TV seasons. I’m already looking forward to Sharknado 6: Michael Phelps Strikes Back. As for 21 Thunder. I would have preferred a show about a vampire soccer team that can only play night games – forfeiting all day matches until it makes the league championship (a dreaded matinée game). Now that’s overcoming adversity.

Big Picture: Legendary guitarist/vocalist, George Thorogood, goes solo with the aptly titled Party of One. The acoustic-driven album features covers of traditional and hit blues songs, including John Lee Hooker’s One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer and The Rolling Stones’ No Expectations.

Meanwhile, up-and-coming Canadian roots band, Johnson Crook, releases its full-length debut. Harmony-filled roots rock is welcome in today’s music scene, and fans should be ready to embrace a new homegrown talent. Moreover, the Toronto band just released the song Canada to Heartbreak for Canada’s 150th birthday.

Who knew Canada needed its own blues-rock song? I assume the alternate titles for the track included Tim Hortons Morning Lineup Blues and Why Did I Enroll My Kid in Hockey, Forcing Me to Waste Every Weekend Driving to a Tournament in the Middle of Nowhere Blues. On a side note, veteran Tom Cochrane turns up for guest vocals on the band’s new song Mr. Nobody. Mr. Nobody, he ain’t.

Forecast: Party on, George. People will be listening.

Honourable Mention: Randy Newman (Dark Matter). This album includes Newman’s 2016 song, Putin, a brassy and sardonic number about the Russian leader that Newman was inspired to write after seeing a picture of Putin without a shirt. (Thank god Newman isn’t a visual artist.)

After thinking Peter might be The One — or at least one of The Ones — Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay learned this week that the silver fox is even more of a commitment phobe than she thought. While fellow bachelors Eric and Bryan asked Rachel’s mom for permission to pop the question during their visit to Texas, Peter asked for permission to date her. Last time we checked, they were already dating. Rachel has made it pretty clear that come finale time, it’s going to be get down on one knee or get the hell out. Unfortunately, those of us who don’t surf the spoiler sites don’t even know if the two made it to the fantasy suite, since Monday’s episode ended on the most annoying “to be continued” note in Bachelor franchise history. Ever! And the wait continues, as the next episode (Monday, ABC/City) is the infamous Men Tell All, where the guys return to confront each other and Rachel. DeMario, you have some serious explaining to do.

Not eliminated and it feels so good.

Montreal’s Andrea and Ebonie took an early lead after The Amazing Race Canada’s remaining teams landed in Beijing this week. So you can imagine their disappointment after a synchronized diving challenge nearly put them under — until host Jon Montgomery revealed this week’s leg was a non-elimination one. Whew. Up next: The Race continues in Shanghai and Bangkok (Tuesday, CTV).

Buzzer-worthy talent.

Singer-songwriter Chase Goehring is being touted as the next big discovery — the next Ed Sheeran, if you will. And folks, there might actually be some merit to this one. The 21-year-old America’s Got Talent contestant from Tennessee is the real deal, and he’s got millions of YouTube hits to prove it. DJ Khaled also awarded Goehring AGT’s coveted Golden Buzzer, claiming “this show and this stage is going to make you into a superstar.” Yes, we’ve heard this before. Time will tell, etc.

Life imitates art.

Emphasis on “imitates”. At least when it comes to the latest lawsuit in the house of Jenner. Little sister Kylie has been hit with a file claiming she copied an artist’s work in the promo material for her upcoming reality show Life of Kylie (Aug. 6, E!). The series’ commercial and some of its social media plugs depict imagery of dripping glossy lips in a biting pose that looks far too similar to artist Sara Pope’s 2015 piece called Temptation Neon. Pope’s lawyers state Jenner, 19, used Temptation Neon without permission and are “building their brand and goodwill at Ms. Pope’s expense.” They also emphasize Jenner’s history as a copycat, citing she and sister Kendall’s use of unlicensed photos of late stars Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. in their fashion line, and a previous lawsuit against Kylie Cosmetics. Perhaps producers should consider morphing Life of Kylie into a courtroom drama.

If the initial excitement of summer vacation has run its course and the kids are looking for something to do, take them to your neighbourhood library or local bookstore. Not only are these places air-conditioned, but they offer a ready supply of books to take home and keep kids busy without working up a sweat or resorting to electronic devices. Here are just a few suggestions:

Heartwood Hotel: A True Home

Kallie George,

illustrations by Stephanie Graegin

HarperCollins

(Ages 6 to 9)

This is the story of Mona, a young mouse who, after being flooded out of her home, finds shelter and work in a tree-based hotel for birds and small animals. First in a new series of chapter books, the text will appeal to any child whose imagination leans toward tiny creatures escaping danger, finding safe haven and, occasionally, displaying great courage. Charming pencil drawings by Stephanie Graegin enhance the story.

Knock About With the Fitzgerald-Trouts

Esta Spalding,

illustrations by Sydney Smith

Tundra Books

(Ages 7 to 11)

This is the second volume about five island-dwelling siblings whose various parents and step-parents have done a truly lousy job of parenting. As a result, the kids have learned to fend for themselves and anyone who has read the first volume (Look Out for the Fitzgerald-Trouts, now available in paperback) will be happy to hear they continue to triumph over adversity.

In this new book, they actually manage to acquire a home of sorts so they no longer have to sleep in their little green car. Yes, I know they found one in the first book as well, but Johnny Trout, rude and nasty father of 11-year-old Kimo, evicted the children with nary a thought of their well-being. Resourceful and responsible Kim, Kimo’s older (by four months) stepsister, makes it her mission to find them another dwelling and, after a series of mishaps, meets with success when the kids win a fishing boat at a local fair. Enter Johnny Trout (OK, RE-enter), who makes off with the boat AND Kimo’s deed of ownership.

Bust summer boredom with a trip to the bookstore or library. []

The Unexpected Life of Oliver Cromwell Pitts

Avi

Algonquin Young Readers

(Ages 9 to 13)

This story will appeal to anyone with a taste for historical fiction. And even though it’s set in a totally different time and place (1724 in County Dorset and, eventually, London, England) it, too, features a father who is less than stellar. Oliver’s dad, a gruff and opinionated lawyer disliked by many, suddenly disappears one day, having apparently abandoned his motherless 12-year-old son. The boy ends up doing a stretch in the poorhouse before escaping and becoming embroiled with an unsavoury highwayman.

After a series of heart-stopping adventures, he is reunited in London with his 18-year-old sister, Charity, who has fallen on hard times and resorted to working as a pickpocket. After a stint in prison, the two siblings are transported to the American colonies — on separate ships. A lively read, to be continued in Book 2.

Ms. Bixby’s Last Day

John David Anderson

Walden Pond Press

(Ages 10 and up)

Now available in paperback, this is the kind of book I would’ve devoured as a child during summer vacation — especially if I’d had to say goodbye to a favourite teacher at the end of the school year.

Parents who read the publisher’s bumf about this book might balk at the fact that Ms. Bixby’s departure stems not from retirement but because of a cancer diagnosis. They should know, however, that the author has crafted a story rich not only in youthful insights and emotions, but also in rollicking humour and literary references. What could have been a dark, depressing book is, instead, a paean to inspiring teachers and the children who remember such teachers the rest of their lives.

Anderson tells the story from the viewpoint of 12-year-old boys — creative, adventurous Topher; book-smart, worrywart Steve; and tough, thoughtful Brand — chapters alternating between the three. When their beloved Grade 6 teacher is forced into hospital before the school year ends, missing the farewell party that was planned, the boys embark on a mysterious plan of their own.

Silversea is sending its 130-guest luxury expedition ship, Silver Explorer, to the Pacific Coast for the first time next year. It’s fantastic news for those who have been curious about Silversea’s long-standing expedition program, but who aren’t enamoured with the idea of travelling to the Arctic or Antarctic.

Beginning this coming February, Silver Explorer will debut a unique collection of seven voyages that will travel from Ushuaia, Argentina — the southernmost city in the world — up the full length of the west coast of South, Central and North America.

Along the way, guests will have the opportunity for in-depth explorations, led by Silversea’s talented expedition team that features specialists in a wide array of studies. Often combining zodiac tours, hikes, walks and cultural experiences ashore, these immersive excursions are included in the cost of Silversea’s expedition cruises, as are all beverages and gratuities.

“These new and exciting expeditions offer the modern-day traveller a chance to rediscover the naturally stunning and historically interesting west coast of the Americas,” said Conrad Combrink, Silversea’s vice-president of expedition planning and strategic development. “Each of these unique expeditions will offer a wide variety of exploration activities — from exploring rich marine ecosystems by Zodiac, hiking in rain forests, discovering prolific wildlife, cruising historically important rivers, and exploring volcanoes, to savouring incredible cuisine. Our selection of expeditions along the west coasts of these two great continents will impress and leave the most intrepid traveller longing for more.”

While each of the seven new voyages are worthwhile in their own right, there are a few that you definitely won’t want to miss out on. The first is Silver Explorer’s debut Pacific Voyage: a 14-day journey from Ushuaia, Argentina to Valparaiso, Chile that departs on Feb. 25, 2018. This journey from the “end of the world” includes scenic cruising and exploration through Chile’s magical glaciers and fiords, along with port calls in Punta Arenas, Tortel, Castro and Puerto Montt, Chile.

Then we get into the really unique voyages. Departing from Mazatlán, Mexico, on April 21, 2018, Silver Explorer sails an 11-night cruise that thoroughly explores Mexico’s vibrant Sea of Cortes. In addition to expeditions off such picturesque spots as Los Islotes and Isla San Francisco, Silver Explorer spends two days docked in Tobolobampo, Mexico, where guests can elect to visit Mexico’s famous Copper Canyon by train. A full day of fun in the sun is included in Cabo San Lucas on this itinerary before Silver Explorer finishes her journey in San Diego.

Even better, Silver Explorer comes to Canada next year. On May 2, 2018, an 11-day journey will take Silver Explorer from San Diego to Vancouver, with stops in San Francisco; Astoria, Oregon; and Friday Harbor in Washington’s San Juan Islands, among others. The following voyage from Vancouver to San Francisco includes many of the same stops, but with a shorter nine-day duration. This one is pretty cool, as it spends two full days in the San Juan Islands, with stops at Friday Harbor, Lopez Island, Anacortes and Cyprus Island.

For the ultimate Pacific Ocean adventure, Silver Explorer’s massive 17-day voyage from Seward, Alaska to Otaru, Japan fits the bill. This includes an in-depth exploration of Alaska’s Aleutian Islands, culminating with a visit to Dutch Harbor before crossing the International Date Line. The remainder of this itinerary spends seven days exploring Russia’s remote Kamchatka Peninsula, including the town of Petropavlovsk, before arriving in Japan.

Silversea also throws plenty of niceties into its expedition cruises, from complimentary backpacks and water bottles, to parkas on cold weather sailings and butler service in every suite.

The world is aware of the problem. What it lacks is solutions and the consensus to act on them. That’s where Canada comes in. With little media fanfare, the World Refugee Council held its first meeting last week in Geneva. Created by a group of Canadians and chaired by one of the country’s political heavyweights, former cabinet minister and statesman Lloyd Axworthy, the group is on the hunt for innovative solutions to the global refugee crisis.

Though inspired by a United Nations initiative, Canada is running the show outside of the international body.

“There’s only so much that can be achieved within the UN system, and there’s a real appetite for innovative thinking,” says Carleton University professor James Milner, research director for the Council.

“There’s only so much that can be achieved within the UN system, and there’s a real appetite for innovative thinking.”

Among many ideas, the team will examine new ways to apply technology and engage the private sector to support refugees — like the Elevate Initiative. This program, supported by Canadian businessman Frank Giustra’s Radcliffe Foundation, helps Syrian refugee women in Jordan become entrepreneurs. Women receive business training, and are supplied with basic consumer goods to sell at an affordable price in their communities. Or Radcliffe’s Ascend Initiative, which pulls together such corporate giants as Coca-Cola and Microsoft to take care of needs like housing and social programs for refugees in Greece, thus taking financial pressure off the struggling Greek government.

Programs like these help refugees become self-sufficient, while also making an economic contribution in their adopted homes. In this case, refugees are no longer seen as a burden, but a benefit, explains Council member Jessie Thomson, director of CARE Canada’s Humanitarian Assistance and Emergency Team.

“We have to think about engaging refugees themselves in their own well-being,” adds Paul Heinbecker, former Canadian ambassador to the UN and deputy chair of the Council.

In typical Canadian fashion, diversity aids creativity. The 23-member Council considered gender balance (with 11 women and 12 men), and members from the global north and south. Four Council members have been refugees themselves. Private-sector representatives like Per Heggenes, chief executive of the IKEA Foundation, bring business insight to the table. There’s even a youth representative: Tunisian blogger and activist Aya Chebbi.

Those differing perspectives will create balance as the Council tackles the most pressing issue: the inequality faced by developing nations who bear most of the burden of caring for refugees. While Canada, the U.S. and European countries face tens of thousands of refugee arrivals, countries such as Jordan and Uganda are dealing with millions. Eighty-six per cent of refugees are sheltered by developing countries.

Over the next year, the Council will travel around the world, meeting political and business leaders as well as refugees, with a report set to be released in 2018. Then the Council will use the political clout and international respect of its ‘heavy hitters’ like Axworthy, Heinbecker, and former Tanzanian president Jakaya Kikwete to build global consensus for its solutions.

We’re proud to see Canadians step up and do what we do best: bring people together to solve the world’s greatest challenges.

Craig and Marc Kielburger are the co-founders of theWE movement,which includes WE Charity, ME to WE Social Enterprise and WE Day. For more dispatches from WE, check out WE Stories.

“You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows,” Bob Dylan sang. But these days, a guide through the seemingly endless flurry of pop culture offerings is just what we need. With that in mind, here is what’s on the radar screen in TV, music and film for the coming week.

MOVIES

Big Releases on July 28: The Emoji Movie; Atomic Blonde

Big Picture: Since no one seems capable of making the long-overdue choice of casting a female Bond, we’re left with the next best thing: Charlize Theron playing a different British super spy with a licence to kill and thrill. She plays Her Majesty’s top intelligence agent, Lorraine Broughton (not as catchy as 007, but she may have Bond beat in the hand-to-hand combat and seduction departments).

Meanwhile, The Emoji Movie does for emojis what Inside Out did for emotions. Just substitute the inner world of the human brain for the inner world of… sigh… a smartphone. The family film bills itself as “the never-before-seen secret world inside your smartphone.”

I assume most of the plot will focus on depressed digital creatures sick to death of the thought of having to store yet another selfie, put out another grammar-less text, or send out another ill-advised dating-app booty call.

The phone’s emoji denizens live in a city called Textopolis, and wait to be selected for use by the phone’s owner, young Alex. But this is mainly the tale of Gene, the single emoji who wears more than one expression – “maybe I am supposed to have more than one emotion” – who goes searching for fabled “Source Code” to help fix him. Watch him and his companions journey though their phone’s Apps, such as Candy Land. (How much money did Apple and Samsung secretly front for this movie?)

Forecast: Emojis will rule the day, but I would have preferred The Emoji Movie: Atomic Blonde, in which Agent Broughton is tasked with hunting down the world’s emojis – sparing all the sad or crying emojis, of course, as a warning to the rest of them.

Francois Arnaud as psychic Manfred in Midnight, Texas. [NBC]

TV

Big Event: Midnight, Texas (July 24, Global/NBC)

Big Picture: From the author of True Blood, Midnight Texas follows Manfred, a psychic on the run who ends up in the remote town of Midnight, Texas — a supernatural safe haven. Why vampires, witches and other supernatural cast-offs would opt to live in an American state with a history of building walls, minority oppression and wanton violence is beyond me. Oh, by the way, the town happens to sit on “the veil between the living and the dead,” and something wicked this way comes; Manfred isn’t the only new game in town.

Forecast: Midnight Texas will fill the endless appetite for the supernatural, but without HBO’s pedigree. I’m hoping Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a regular cross-over guest star; this place sounds like the sister city to Sunnydale.

Honourable Mention: Somewhere Between (July 24, Global/ABC). This miniseries focuses on a news producer (Paula Patton), trying to prevent a dark prediction of the future from coming true: the murder of her eight-year-old daughter. Can she solve a crime before it takes place?

“Fate is your enemy; the only way to fight her is head on” she is told. It’s like the movies Final Destination and Minority Report meet Hallmark channel soap opera. (BTW: The show moves to Tuesday nights beginning July 25.)

Big Picture: After an uneven, ambitious effort (2013s Reflektor), that divided fans and critics alike, Everything Now is a throwback to the sound that defined the Montreal mega-band’s early albums. That means orchestral anthems, meditative lyrics, punchy beats, soaring choruses – and music that oozes with human emotion and drama. But Arcade Fire does cycle in enough disco beats and ‘80s-synth experiments to satisfy anyone who might accuse them of just recycling old musical recipes.

Debut single Everything Now, about digital-age information overload (cue: The Emoji Movie), has already achieved No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard charts. Meanwhile, Cage the Elephant puts their rock music in a cage with stripped down, unplugged arrangements of classic songs, plus a few choice covers, including The Stranglers’ Golden Brown and Daft Punk’s Instant Crush.

Forecast: Arcade Fire returns to the form they had on Funeral, and The Suburbs; a second album of the year from the Grammy Awards may be in the cards.

Honourable Mention: Alice Cooper (Paranormal). The only thing paranormal about Alice Cooper is how he keeps on ticking.

]]>http://o.canada.com/entertainment/pop-forecast-for-july-24-the-emoji-movie-atomic-blonde-and-more/feed0Atomic Blonde (2017)postmedianews1Midnight, Texas - Season 1Arcade Fire's singer Win ButlerTelly With Melly: Loaded, Somewhere Between, Midnight, Texas and morehttp://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/telly-with-melly-loaded-somewhere-between-midnight-texas-and-more
http://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/telly-with-melly-loaded-somewhere-between-midnight-texas-and-more#respondMon, 24 Jul 2017 06:00:49 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=764762]]>It’s a bit of wisdom reiterated from Macbeth to the Notorious B.I.G.: When one getteth mo’ money, mo’ problems ensueth. Such is the case with Loaded, AMC’s new get-rich-quick comedy with a British twist.

The plot pivots on a group of four guys who sell their mobile game for a big payout, and the effect having more cash than they can handle has on them. In last week’s première, vengeance was theirs as they set about confronting those who’ve wronged them in the past.

On Monday, Leon’s (Samuel Anderson), desperation to prove himself to an old teacher leads him into an odd moral dilemma. Elsewhere, Josh (Jim Howick), gets involved in a charity event in a bid to impress ex-girlfriend Abi (Aimee-Ffion Edwards).

Jonny Sweet and Nick Helm star as the other newly rich dudes, while Mary McCormack plays Casey, a cutthroat new boss who demands that the guys’ startup meet her corporate standards.

Astute viewers can draw more than a few comparisons to HBO’s Silicon Valley — about six guys who found a computer startup — but since that show’s both acclaimed and funny, that’s not such a bad thing.

Loaded, like AMC’s Humans, is a co-production between the network and British broadcaster Channel 4. It’s a remake of the Israeli show Mesudarim, which debuted a decade ago.

Somewhere Between

The première of this drama starring Paula Patton airs Monday. Patton plays Laura Price, a local news producer in San Francisco helping the police hunt down a serial killer. After the killer strikes close to home, a twist of fate allows a Groundhog Day-type reset, and Laura relives the week prior to the string of murders. Unlike Groundhog Day, she only has one chance to change fate and stop the killer. (Global/ABC)

Midnight, Texas

Based on the like-named book series by Charlaine Harris — whose Southern Vampire Mysteries novels were the basis of HBO’s True Blood — this new drama debuting Monday centres on powerful psychic Manfred Bernardo (François Arnaud). When he decides to hide out in the small town of Midnight, Texas, he discovers the community is a haven for outsiders, both human and supernatural. (Global/NBC)

Line of Duty

The police corruption drama returns for a fourth season. The première finds Roz (Thandie Newton), under pressure from her superiors to apprehend a serial killer after months of fruitless investigation. When another young woman is abducted, Roz is on the scene to track down and charge a 24-year-old man. But doubts around the young man’s guilt lead the chief forensic investigator Tim Ifield (Jason Watkins) to AC-12. (Super Channel)

]]>http://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/telly-with-melly-loaded-somewhere-between-midnight-texas-and-more/feed0Nick Helm and Lolly Adefope in Loadedmhank201215 snacks you might be surprised to know are veganhttp://o.canada.com/life/food/15-snacks-you-might-be-surprised-to-know-are-vegan
http://o.canada.com/life/food/15-snacks-you-might-be-surprised-to-know-are-vegan#respondWed, 19 Jul 2017 21:31:49 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=764771]]>Going vegetarian or vegan doesn’t mean you have to give up your favourite guilty-pleasure snacks. While fresh fruits and veggies can go a long way in filling you up, sometimes a craving calls for a little naughty indulgence.

In February, three dairy-free ice creams from Ben & Jerry’s hit Canadian shelves. Using an almond milk base, the company started rolling out the flavours Chocolate Fudge Brownie (chocolate with fudge brownies from Greyston Bakery), P.B. & Cookies (vanilla with chocolate sandwich cookies and crunchy peanut butter swirls) and Coffee Caramel Fudge (coffee with fudge chunks and caramel swirls).

But man cannot live on ice cream alone.

According to animal-rights organization PETA, the 15 most popular vegan snacks include Doritos Spicy Sweet Chili tortilla chips, Fritos original and Bar-B-Q flavoured corn chips, Kettle Brand Maple Bacon potato chips and Sour Patch Kids. Here are 15 other snacks you might be surprised to know are vegan:

Alongside embassies, trade missions and aid, some countries are turning to food through culinary diplomacy.

Stories of history, conflict, colonization and migration are written in food.

“Our daily realities are contained in it,” explains Arlene Stein, director of Terroir, an annual symposium for policy makers, business leaders and food producers. “So it only makes sense to use food to bring people together to break down barriers.”

When it comes to eating and politics, we immediately think of state dinners. Fewer recognize the grassroots efforts in kitchens of street vendors and local producers.

During a spike in violence between Israelis and Palestinians in 2015, Kobi Tzafrir, owner of Hummus Bar in Tel Aviv, offered a 50 per cent discount to Jews and Arabs who dined together.

Hummus Bar in Tel Aviv gave a discount to Jews and Arabs who dined together.[The Associated Press]

Customers get a side of politics with their North Korean doenjang jjigae, a traditional stew, at Conflict Kitchen, the Pittsburgh food stall that serves dishes from countries the United States is in conflict with in order to build understanding.

When the U.S. lifted the half-century long embargo on Cuba, New Yorkers got a head start on the cultural exchange as Cuban chefs took part in the Harlem/Havana food festival.

The governments of Taiwan and Thailand launched massive efforts to increase cultural awareness through food. Taiwan’s $30 million dim sum diplomacy saw chefs travelling the world to help differentiate Taiwanese culture from China’s, while the Global Thai program sponsored Thai restaurant openings worldwide, with each operating as an unofficial cultural embassy.

This is not to say that food is a cure-all for conflict. Greeks and Turks have fought over coffee, Irish Protestants and Catholics over whiskey, and everyone in the Middle East claims ownership over hummus. Still, some experts see great potential in culinary diplomacy as a bridge between divided nations.

Still, some experts see great potential in culinary diplomacy as a bridge between divided nations.

Countries tend not to go to war with trading partners, and Stein sees the potential of shared tourism based on rich culinary traditions as a similar step toward conflict resolution.

There’s something all Canadians can do: learn our own food history, explains Guelph University Food Laureate Anita Stewart. That means understanding the state of food security and meeting producers.

Every dish has a story, says Stewart.

Take poutine. Today, it’s up there with maple syrup and beavertails as a Canadian staple. But just like the fries, cheese curds and gravy, there are layers to poutine’s history.

Invented in the 1950s, the dish first carried a stigma for its supposed lack of sophistication. Some Quebecers felt this stereotype was wielded by English Canadians to undermine the culture itself. Now featured on plates from San Francisco to Tokyo, marketed as Canadian, the dish has sparked a conversation about the relationship between French and English Canadians.

Whatever is on the menu, cultures and recipes come together to tell stories on our plates while they bring us together around the dinner table.

Food is politics.

Craig and Marc Kielburger are the co-founders of theWE movement,which includes WE Charity, ME to WE Social Enterprise and WE Day. For more dispatches from WE, check out WE Stories.

When James Blunt heralded the arrival of his fifth album, The Afterlove, his announcement suggested self-promotion and self-effacement don’t have to be at odds with each other.

“If you thought 2016 was bad,” he tweeted in December, “I’m releasing an album in 2017.”

Not for the first time, Blunt confirmed he had read his reviews, was aware of the vitriol he attracted through the ubiquity of his lovelorn 2005 breakthrough single You’re Beautiful, and would be greeting naysayers with a wink and a shrug.

“I’ve never been one to stand up confidently,” Blunt said by phone from New York recently as he prepared to support Ed Sheeran on a North American tour. “You know, I’m English. The English — Christ, I mean, look at Hugh Grant. Since I was a child, I have always done the English thing of taking the mickey out of one’s own achievements. And I think that’s probably a good thing.

“In the music business, you’re supposed to go up and say how amazing you are and how amazing your album is. And maybe that would be convincing, but I’m assuming that people can listen to an album and make their own decisions.”

Blunt’s humility doesn’t detract from his obvious enthusiasm for the sense of discovery on The Afterlove, in which his familiar big-hearted ballads coexist with contemporary R&B and clubland touches.

More than 100 songs were written for consideration, “and I really set out not to repeat myself. So what I’ve ended up with is a more diverse album. Of course, it still has the songs that I’m perhaps known for and perhaps best at — the kind of emotional songs that hopefully people can relate to their own experiences. But at the same time, it allowed me to be more bold and write some songs that were exciting.”

James Blunt []

The album opener Love Me Better sees Blunt aiming candid barbs at himself and nodding cheekily to his past (“Saw you standing outside a bar/Would have said you’re beautiful, but I used that line before”), but also announcing an intention to venture beyond aching sincerity with ecstatic backing vocals and a dance-floor hook. Lose My Number mashes up a music-box intro with “an R&B-type feel, maybe with a bit of Michael Jackson mixed in,” Blunt said.

He reserves special mention for California, whose low rumble and cool-blue staccato verses yield to a chorus built for open roads. “It reminds me of the soundtrack for the movie Drive with Ryan Gosling.”

But there’s still room for Don’t Give Me Those Eyes — “It’s a Greek tragedy; it’s desperate and so painful” — and Make Me Better, a tender declaration to wife and child that returns Blunt to the confessional honesty of his earliest successes, for which he gives all due credit to Sheeran, the track’s co-writer.

“Some of my songwriting has become more ambiguous, as I’ve wanted to reveal less of my private life. He did say, ‘Come on, let’s be really open,’ so Make Me Better is a very raw, revealing song.”

The close friends’ professional partnership began on a skiing holiday. “In the evenings we wrote songs — and as you can imagine working with him, they were pretty good songs.”

“Some of my songwriting has become more ambiguous, as I’ve wanted to reveal less of my private life.”

Blunt hinted at the possibility of further writing sessions with Sheeran on tour, although “it depends whether we pick up a guitar or if we pick up a beer bottle. I suppose we’ll go for the beer bottle first.

“I feel so lucky to be on this tour,” Blunt said. “I get to do 40 minutes a day of songs that I love … I’m touring with maybe the biggest artist in the world, and I’m going to play for this younger audience and I’m going to try to win them over. If I don’t, I don’t, but I’ll have a great time anyway. And after, I’ll go and have a beer with a mate.

“What an amazing gift this far down in a career, for someone to say, ‘Now you’re going to go and support the biggest artist in the world for three months.’ But it also seems like a holiday.”

The holiday includes a series of Canadian dates, bringing Blunt back to a country that was an early stronghold and has continued to embrace him. Asked why he thought his music was quick to catch a spark here, he laughed.

“That’s a dangerous question, because I’m so rude about my own music that I’m then likely to be rude about anyone who likes my own music. I don’t know why it is, but I’ll take it. You’ve been very good to me.”

]]>http://o.canada.com/entertainment/music/james-blunt-expands-his-sound-hits-the-road-with-ed-sheeran/feed0James Bluntpostmedianews1James BluntNorwegian Sun bids adieu to Alaska, hello to Cuba and Bahamashttp://o.canada.com/travel/norwegian-sun-bids-adieu-to-alaska-hello-to-cuba-and-bahamas
http://o.canada.com/travel/norwegian-sun-bids-adieu-to-alaska-hello-to-cuba-and-bahamas#respondMon, 17 Jul 2017 19:10:44 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=764740]]>Norwegian Cruise Line is shuffling the deck on its 2018 deployments, and there are some exciting developments in store for folks who are planning a cruise to Alaska, the Caribbean and Cuba.

Right now, Norwegian has its 2,004-guest Norwegian Sky operating short, all-inclusive cruises to Havana, Cuba, out of Miami. Norwegian took the unusual step of making all alcoholic beverages aboard Norwegian Sky complimentary back in 2016, and the decision has proven to be popular on the ship’s quick runs to the Bahamas, as well as its recently inaugurated sailings to Cuba.

Now, Norwegian has announced it will send Norwegian Sky’s sister ship, Norwegian Sun, on short cruises to Cuba in 2018. She’ll make her home in Port Canaveral, Fla., near Orlando, and will operate four-day cruises to Havana and Key West, along with short three-day cruises to the Bahamas.

Rather than sailing to Alaska as originally planned, Norwegian Sun will go into dry dock in Victoria in April 2018 for a two-and-a-half-week-long refit. There, she’ll receive a stem-to-stern refresh as part of the cruise line’s new Norwegian Edge program, which aims to add some of the bells and whistles found aboard Norwegian’s newest ships to its older, but no less loved, vessels.

Like Norwegian Sky, Norwegian Sun’s new Cuba and Bahamas sailings out of Port Canaveral will also feature unlimited complimentary beverages included in the cost of the cruise. She’ll make her way down to the Caribbean on April 19, 2018, on a unique 17-day Panama Canal transit that starts in Seattle.

“Our all-inclusive model aboard Norwegian Sky has been very well-received and as we evaluated the opportunity to expand upon that concept, we felt that Port Canaveral was the ideal location to offer our guests a value-rich on-board experience and exciting action-packed ports of call, including an overnight call in Havana,” said Andy Stuart, president and chief executive of Norwegian Cruise Line.

Norwegian Sun’s new voyages to Cuba will include a port call in Key West, Fla., as well as an overnight stay in Havana. The ship will dock in the centre of Old Havana — recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, where guests can go ashore to take part in authentically Cuban experiences. The ship’s three-day sailings to the Bahamas call on Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island.

Because Norwegian Sun will be leaving Alaska (and Vancouver) next year, the newer, larger Norwegian Jewel will reposition north to take her place. Launched in 2005, the 2,376-guest Norwegian Jewel is a great ship to experience Alaska on, which plenty of open deck space and public rooms with vast swaths of floor-to-ceiling windows.

Norwegian Jewel will sail two basic itineraries to Alaska: weeklong round trips from Vancouver that call on Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan; or seven-day voyages between Vancouver and Seward, with stops along the way in Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and Glacier Bay National Park. Southbound cruises (Seward to Vancouver) will substitute Icy Strait Point for Glacier Bay. Both itineraries will include scenic cruising by Hubbard Glacier.

Elsewhere, Norwegian just took the wraps off its 2017-18 Meet the Winemaker cruises. Exclusively available aboard select Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Dawn sailings, guests will have the opportunity to engage with famous winemakers from around the world. Each voyage will feature tasting opportunities, seminars and open-forum Q&A sessions that are held in the ship’s atrium. The open forums and meet-and-greet opportunities are complimentary and are open to all guests, while tastings will start at US$19.95 per person.

Portsandbows.com, sponsored by Expedia CruiseShipCenters, 1-800-707-7327, www.cruiseshipcenters.com, for daily updates on the latest cruise news, best deals and behind-the-scenes stories from the industry. You can also sign up for an email newsletter on the site for even more cruise information. Aaron Saunders may be contacted directly at portsandbowsaaron@gmail.com

Norway — In the heart of the Midnight Sun, one day after the Summer Solstice and on the eve of its 20th anniversary, Viking Cruises officially welcomed its third ocean-going cruise ship into its fleet.

The 930-guest Viking Sky was christened by Marit Barstad, sister of Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking Cruises, in a pierside ceremony open to residents of this arctic Norwegian city. The call on Tromsø was made as part of Viking’s 14-day, Into the Midnight Sun itinerary that whisks guests from Bergen to the far reaches of Arctic Norway before ending in Greenwich (London), England. “This is a special time of year in Norway — these are the days of the midnight sun and the perfect backdrop for a celebration. All of our ships proudly carry the Norwegian flag, and it is an especially proud day to officially welcome our new ship in Tromsø, the arctic capital of the world,” Hagen said.

The 745-foot-long (227-metre-long) Viking Sky doesn’t stray from the magic formula that Viking developed for its first ocean-going ships, Viking Star and Viking Sea. There’s little reason to: Viking Star was designed so superbly that she immediately garnered accolades from media and guests alike, with comparisons drawn to the line’s successful Viking Longship river cruise vessels in Europe.

If you’ve never sailed on one of Viking’s ocean cruises before, prepare to be thrilled by Viking Sky’s warm, Scandinavian-inspired decor and unique touches that pay tribute to the Norwegian heritage of the Hagen family. My favourite dining venue, Mamsen’s, honours Hagen’s mother Ragnhild and serves up heart-shaped Norwegian waffles each morning, light bites during the afternoon, and delicious split-pea soup after 10 p.m., culled from family recipes. New on Viking Sky, the nearby Explorer’s Lounge now recognizes Hagen’s father — nicknamed Paps — and even offers up the gentleman’s favourite drink: Norwegian brandy with hot water and sugar.

Like her sisters, Viking Sky part floating library and art gallery. Original works of Scandinavian art grace the ship’s corridors and public rooms, and Viking has developed a print brochure and an app (downloadable from the App store (iPhone) and Google Play (android phones)) to guide you through it all.

You’ll also find the largest collection of works by Edvard Munch outside of the Munch Museum.

My favourite feature, not only on Viking Sky but on all of Viking’s ocean ships: an expertly curated selection of books on polar history, Norwegian explorers, maritime history, biographies, world events and fiction graces the shelves of almost every public room. It’s easily the best literary collection at sea.

Like its river cruises, Viking’s ocean cruises are semi-inclusive. Beer, wine and soft drinks are complimentary with lunch and dinner, and specialty coffees never cost extra. Viking provides a selection of included shore excursions in every port of call (alongside extra-cost options), and the ship’s spectacular Thermal Suite in the LivNordic Spa — which consists of a hydrotherapy pool, heated thermal loungers, aromatherapy steam rooms and sauna, and a Nordic snow room with real snow — can be used free of charge.

Viking Sky has been thoughtfully designed, inside and out. When the weather is nice, floor-to-ceiling windows in the ship’s Restaurant and its World Café buffet can slide open to let the fresh air in. If it’s raining (as it was on my voyage), the fully covered mid-ship pool lets you enjoy a swim or a casual lunch or an evening movie — and there’s none of that awful humidity that plagues similar areas on other cruise ships.

Viking, of course, isn’t for everyone. If you’re looking for a party-hard cruise, this isn’t the one for you. Ditto if you like to gamble; you won’t find a casino aboard any of Viking’s ships.

What you will find, however, is a soothing cruise experience that is educational, destination-focused, and beyond enjoyable.

Viking Sky will be joined this fall by her new sister, Viking Sun. A fifth ship — Viking Spirit — will follow in 2018, and three as-yet-unnamed ships are on order for delivery between 2019 and 2022. Brand-new voyages to Asia, Alaska and beyond are in the works, and Viking will debut its inaugural World Cruise this December: a 141-day journey from Miami to London.

Happy cruising.

Portsandbows.com, sponsored by Expedia CruiseShipCenters, 1-800-707-7327, http://www.cruiseshipcenters.com, for daily updates on the latest cruise news, best deals and behind-the-scenes stories from the industry. You can also sign up for an email newsletter on the site for even more cruise information. Aaron Saunders may be contacted directly at portsandbowsaaron@gmail.com

]]>http://o.canada.com/travel/sky-opens-up-great-norwegian-ocean-cruise-possibilities/feed00702 trav ftdc.jpgaaronpsaundersPop Forecast for July 17: Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets and morehttp://o.canada.com/entertainment/pop-forecast-for-july-17-valerian-and-the-city-of-a-thousand-planets-and-more
http://o.canada.com/entertainment/pop-forecast-for-july-17-valerian-and-the-city-of-a-thousand-planets-and-more#respondMon, 17 Jul 2017 06:13:22 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=764716]]>Chris Lackner

“You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows,” Bob Dylan sang. But these days, a guide through the seemingly endless flurry of pop culture offerings is just what we need. With that in mind, here is what’s on the radar screen in TV, music and film for the coming week.

MOVIES

Big releases on July 21: Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets.

Big picture: From sci-fi wizard Luc Besson (The Fifth Element) comes a special-effects epic set in the 28th century. Meet the astonishing city of Alpha — “an ever-expanding metropolis where species from all over the universe have converged over centuries to share knowledge, intelligence and cultures with each other.” (Spoiler alert: I predict this “ever-expanding” city used to be called Toronto).

Based on a graphic novel, Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Laureline (Cara Delevingne) are special operatives that maintain order throughout the human territories; basically kicking alien butt, fighting in slow motion and not smiling (Delevingne is a supermodel, so she’s well-versed in blank expressions). It’s like Guardians of the Galaxy, minus the fun, comedy and personality.

The city Alpha is a worthy star, though. It’s essentially every race from every sci-fi franchise seemingly coexisting in one endless maze of lasers, skyscrapers, lights, gadgets and wonders. Of course, a “dark force” is at work in the city that threatens not just Alpha, but the very universe.

Forecast: Alien encounters? Supermodels? A universe in need of saving? I predict Capt. Kirk will soon be making a franchise crossover.

Honourable mention: Dunkirk: Dunkirk pulls director Christopher Nolan back into reality. It’s the true tale of 400,000 Allied soldiers trapped at beach as the enemy closes in; there are no layers of Inception to escape to. A combination of likely and unlikely heroes, from pilots to civilian boaters, try to save their lives. Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy and Mark Rylance co-star.

Warning: This is Hollywood. Nothing is sacred, and no one has shame. Don’t be surprised if Capt. America or Wonder Woman shows up to lead the Allied troops to victory.

Nick Helm and Lolly Adefope in Loaded [AMC]

TV

Big events: Loaded (July 17, AMC); Ozark (July 21, Netflix).

Big picture: Loaded is a British dramedy based on the Israeli show Mesudarim. It centres on four clueless friends who become tech millionaires after selling their cheesy video game startup. It’s like Silicon Valley but with English accents.

Meanwhile, Ozark finds Michael Bluth going to the dark side. Jason Bateman (who also directs) plays a drug-money launderer who must relocate his family to Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks. The second biggest drug cartel in Mexico is hunting him. You can almost hear Arrested Development’s G. O. B Bluth’s signature line: “I’ve made a huge mistake.”

Forecast: Often typecast as the nice, sensitive guy, Bateman is breaking bad.

Big picture: Sacred Hearts Club will feature ‘60s-inspired sounds and a psychedelic influence. ‘Tis the season. Frontman Mark Foster says the album was a response to the catastrophic headlines on the daily news: “I felt like on this record I really just wanted to make something joyful.” Meanwhile, country star Sarah Evans comes out of hiding after a three-year break — and she brought a 14-women team of songwriters with her.

Forecast: Foster the People’s arena rock will finally (sort of) make it feel like summer.

]]>http://o.canada.com/entertainment/pop-forecast-for-july-17-valerian-and-the-city-of-a-thousand-planets-and-more/feed0VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETSpostmedianews1Nick Helm and Lolly Adefope in LoadedFoster The PeopleTotal eclipse will be sight to behold at seahttp://o.canada.com/travel/total-eclipse-will-be-sight-to-behold-at-sea
http://o.canada.com/travel/total-eclipse-will-be-sight-to-behold-at-sea#respondWed, 12 Jul 2017 21:29:57 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=764709]]>Here’s something you don’t see every day: a total eclipse, viewed from the Caribbean Sea. Royal Caribbean (cruise.center/royalcaribbean) is hosting a week-long Caribbean cruise aboard its massive Oasis of the Seas that will take advantage of the total solar eclipse this coming Aug. 21 — the first such event in 99 years.

Oasis of the Seas will sail from Orlando (Port Canaveral), Fla., on Aug. 20, and will stop at some of the Caribbean’s most popular ports of call. Port stops are scheduled in Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; and Nassau, Bahamas. It’s a great itinerary for a summertime Caribbean getaway in its own right, but it’s arguably the total solar eclipse — and the special events being offered on one of the largest cruise ships in the world — that make this particular sailing so exclusive.

“We’re set to take vacationers on an unprecedented experience that is nearly a century in the making,” said Michael Bayley, president and chief executive Royal Caribbean International.

“A total solar eclipse hasn’t crossed the entire U.S. since 1918, and with many of our ships sailing to the Caribbean along the projected path, the stars aligned. Oasis of the Seas will have the vantage point of the century and an unforgettable celebration out at sea that adventurers won’t want to miss.”

This Total Eclipse Cruise will feature a number of eclipse-related amenities, activities and bonus features, including a live concert performed by “a major headliner” — the likes of which will be revealed by the line at a later date.

Guests aboard Oasis of the Seas will be able to partake in eclipse-themed dance parties, trivia, enrichment lectures, interactive science fun for kids, and cocktails and dishes with such names as the Cosmic Cosmo, Planetary Punch and Moon Pie.

Of course, there’s also a certain cachet to sailing aboard Oasis of the Seas. When she first entered service back in 2009, she was the largest ship in the world — and, technically speaking, she still is — bested only by her sisters Allure, Harmony and the forthcoming Symphony of the Seas, all of which are larger by only the smallest of margins.

Capable of carrying 6,780 guests if she’s fully booked, Oasis of the Seas offers plenty of big-ship fun, spread across her 18 decks. She’s the ideal ship for multi-generational families travelling together, as there is something on board for cruisers of all ages. This isn’t the ship you take for an intimate getaway or a small-ship experience, but for those who like their ships (and vacation activities) super-sized, Oasis of the Seas delivers in spades.

She also offers enough “classic” features to make old-school cruisers feel right at home, like Royal Caribbean’s traditional Schooner Bar, with its nautical ambience and old-world decor.

The rest of this ship, though, is a futuristic marvel. In addition to the usual pool-deck fun, Oasis of the Seas boasts two FlowRider surfing simulators; a zip-line positioned nine decks high that speeds riders across the ship’s cavernous open-air atrium; and the iconic, stern-mounted AquaTheater: an outdoor, ocean-going production spectacular with acrobatic performances and high-diving fun. Guests can also take in the Broadway musical Cats, or dine on a six-course seasonal menu at 150 Central Park; designed by James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Schwartz, it’s just one of 17 different dining options available aboard Oasis of the Seas. Roughly half of these are included in your cruise fare; others (like 150 Central Park) carry a modest surcharge.

Although they won’t have the same unique features as this Total Eclipse Cruise aboard Oasis of the Seas, seven other Royal Caribbean ships will be sailing to the Caribbean during the total solar eclipse on Aug. 21, on itineraries ranging from three to nine nights. Guests sailing aboard Allure of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Empress of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas, Grandeur of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas and Majesty of the Seas will be able view this once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon.

Happy cruising.

Portsandbows.com, sponsored by Expedia CruiseShipCenters, 1-800-707-7327, http://www.cruiseshipcenters.com, for daily updates on the latest cruise news, best deals and behind-the-scenes stories from the industry. You can also sign up for an email newsletter on the site for even more cruise information. Aaron Saunders may be contacted directly at portsandbowsaaron@gmail.com

]]>http://o.canada.com/travel/total-eclipse-will-be-sight-to-behold-at-sea/feed0Oasis of the Seas launch.aaronpsaundersNo time like now to book that cold-weather cruisehttp://o.canada.com/travel/no-time-like-now-to-book-that-cold-weather-cruise
http://o.canada.com/travel/no-time-like-now-to-book-that-cold-weather-cruise#respondTue, 11 Jul 2017 22:36:07 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=764703]]>Being that we’ve barely entered summer, it might sound strange to start thinking about winter vacations. But this is exactly the time to start planning for that cold-weather getaway. Not only does booking early give you prime choice over itinerary and stateroom selections, but it also gives you more time to pay for that one-of-a-kind cruise.

This is also the time of year when cruise lines start really ramping up their fall offerings. That’s the case this week with MSC Cruises (cruise.center/msc), which is introducing an expanded Caribbean season, more winter Mediterranean departures, and special sailings that explore the Middle East.

It’s no surprise that MSC is maintaining a high-profile presence in the Caribbean this year: Its newest ship, the innovative MSC Seaside, will make its debut this December in Miami. Following her christening, she will offer a variety of Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages.

But make no mistake about it: This is a voyage you’ll want to take just for the ship itself. The buzz in the industry is that this is the ship to watch this year, with its wraparound promenade, resort-style architecture and sweeping banks of glass windows and panoramic elevators at every turn.

But this year, MSC Fantasia will also be sailing in the Caribbean. She’ll operate seven- or 14-night voyages that depart from either Martinique or Guadeloupe, and will call on some of the Caribbean’s more interesting islands, such as Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

In addition to these Caribbean sailings, Canadian guests are also able to book MSC’s Cuba cruises. Currently only available to international guests, the more intimately sized MSC Opera and MSC Armonia will continue to offer itineraries this season, which include two or three days in the historic port of Havana, Cuba, allowing guests time to fully enjoy everything that the vibrant city and its surroundings have to offer. For those willing to extend their stay, it will be possible to combine two itineraries into a 14-night cruise. Additional ports of call on these itineraries include Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Mexico, Belize and Honduras.

MSC also has a very decent winter program in the Med. Why would you want to cruise the Med in the winter months? Because even though the temperatures are cooler, the tourists have largely left — and that turns cities like Rome, Venice and Athens into an explorer’s paradise.

My pick this winter: MSC’s new 10, 11 and 12-night itineraries operated aboard the pretty MSC Orchestra. You can hop on at any one of four embarkation ports (Genoa, Italy; Marseille, France; Barcelona, Spain; and Civitavecchia, the port for Rome), and sail to either Greece or Italy. And, because MSC is a European cruise line, expect plenty of European influence when it comes to cuisine and onboard atmosphere. It all makes for a much more immersive, authentic cruise experience than, say, sailing on a North American-based cruise line, which sometimes caters its product for a more American audience.

If I’m sailing to Italy, I want to have good, Italian coffee — and MSC has that, and more.

But if you’re looking for something truly exotic, I really like MSC’s unique cruises that depart from the United Arab Emirates. MSC Splendida offers voyages that embark from both Dubai and Abu Dhabi and sail to the amazing city of Muscat, Oman; the beach town of Khor al Fakkan, and Doha, Qatar and Bahrain. Guests onboard MSC Splendid will also be able to have their very own beach day at Sir Bani Yas Island, a massive beachside paradise that is exclusively for the use of MSC guests for the day.

This is a truly fascinating part of the world, and in many ways, a cruise is the best way to explore it in comfort. My own visit to Muscat, Oman a few years ago, for example, was notable for its contrasts: roads and infrastructure are new and spotless, but attitudes are more conservative and traditionally rooted. You may not agree with everything, but there’s no doubting the friendliness of the people you’ll meet.

So, whether you’re looking for something close to home or a destination that few have been to, MSC has plenty of different departures this fall to choose from.

Happy cruising.

Sponsored by Expedia CruiseShipCenters, 1-800-707-7327, http://www.cruiseshipcenters.com, for daily updates on the latest cruise news, best deals and behind-the-scenes stories from the industry. You can also sign up for an email newsletter on the site for even more cruise information. Aaron Saunders may be contacted directly at portsandbowsaaron@gmail.com

Hands up if your mom sent you outside to play while she watched her “stories” on weekday afternoons.

Once upon a time, daytime soap operas provided a daily dose of escapist entertainment for stay-at-home moms while the kids were at school or dangling, unsupervised, off the monkey bars at the neighbourhood playground. Soaps were appointment viewing. They had to be — VCRs didn’t come into play until the mid-1970s.

How times have changed.

Since the start of the millennium, DVRs and streaming video services like Netflix and Crave TV have given us freedom to watch our favourite shows wherever and whenever it’s convenient, although the same technology that keeps us plugged in 24/7 makes finding a convenient time increasingly difficult.

Still, a Netflix survey of more than 300 Canadian moms with children nine years old and younger, conducted June 9-14, found that 90 per cent of respondents are still carving out a bit of “me time” for solo TV viewing, and they have more choices than ever before — unless they want to watch a daytime soap.

Anthony Geary as Luke Spencer, left, and Genie Francis as Laura Spencer on General Hospital. [ABC]

Only four long-running network serials are still clinging to life on network TV — General Hospital (on ABC since 1963), Days of Our Lives (on NBC since 1965), The Young and the Restless (on CBS since 1973), and The Bold and the Beautiful (on CBS since 1987).

Some folks blame O.J. Simpson. His eight-month murder trial pre-empted so much daytime TV in 1995 that some viewers never came back. But then, Internet use began skyrocketing at about the same time. And traditional daytime viewers have also become something of a rarity. Only 18 per cent of families with children had a stay-at-home parent in 2015, according to Statistics Canada. That’s down from 53 per cent in 1976, when All My Children, Another World, Ryan’s Hope, As the World Turns, The Edge of Night, Search for Tomorrow, One Life to Live and Guiding Light were thriving daytime staples.

Back then, just 32 per cent of Canadian women with a child aged six or under had paid employment outside the home, compared to 69.5 per cent in 2015. Participation in the workforce for women with kids aged six to 11 was 78 per cent in 2015, up from 45 per cent in 1976. And then there’s the second shift. More men are taking on the role of stay-at-home parent, and they’re stepping up in greater numbers to handle cooking and cleaning chores. But, again according to Stats Canada, the percentage of women who also perform household work has remained the same for the past 30 years — 93 per cent.

Orange Is The New Black is streaming Season 5 on Netflix [Netflix]

Small wonder that moms Netflix surveyed said they need time alone to decompress (52 per cent), enjoy some peace and quiet away from the kids (49 per cent), or just get some rest (46 per cent). While the majority (73 per cent), say solo viewing gives them a break from the daily grind, or helps relieve stress (54 per cent), about a third of moms say it makes them feel more connected to current pop culture, and to what their friends and co-workers are talking about around the water cooler. Most (84 per cent), say moms shouldn’t feel guilty about “sneaking in” a bit of TV “me time,” but the survey isn’t clear on whether that sneakiness actually does make them feel as guilty as the other 16 per cent.

An equal number (59 per cent), said they squeeze in TV “me time” while they’re doing laundry or lying in bed, presumably after the kids are asleep, while 48 per cent watch while they’re cooking. And a surprising number (35 per cent), spend quality time streaming TV in the bathroom, often while pretending they’re doing their hair or makeup.

So what are they watching in there? Mainly primetime soaps and serials — new episodes of edgier shows such as Orange is the New Black, The Walking Dead (26 and 23 per cent, respectively), and Pretty Little Liars (15 per cent); nostalgic fare like Gilmore Girls (21 per cent), Friends (18 per cent), and Fuller House (15 per cent), and long-running network dramas Grey’s Anatomy (26 per cent), and Once Upon a Time (18 per cent).

Hopefully, they’re also binge-watching House of Cards, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Glow (Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling), with their significant others like everyone else — and doing it on the couch, not on the throne.

]]>http://o.canada.com/life/me-time-for-moms-often-involves-netflix-says-survey/feed0Watching TVpostmedianews1ANTHONY GEARY, GENIE FRANCISOrange Is The New Black is streaming Season 5 on NetflixGlobal Voices: Why Canada should do business with Africahttp://o.canada.com/life/global-voices-why-canada-should-do-business-with-africa
http://o.canada.com/life/global-voices-why-canada-should-do-business-with-africa#respondTue, 11 Jul 2017 06:43:45 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=764682]]>Nola Kianza is a man on a mission. The founder and CEO of the Canadian Council on Africa is travelling across Canada, meeting politicians and fellow businessmen to deliver a message:

“Africa is not just about aid. Africa is the new frontier in business.”

Kianza wants to see Canada significantly grow its trade relationships with African countries. He says the plan would open new markets for Canadian companies, while creating prosperity and reducing poverty in Africa.

Canada’s trading relationships are “skewed,” says Phil Rourke, executive director of Carleton University’s Centre for Trade Policy and Law, and an advocate for increased trade with Africa. The U.S. accounts for 80 per cent of Canadian trade, with Europe at 15 per cent. Apart from a growing interest in China, Canada has invested little in trade relations with the rest of the world — least of all in Africa. With the current U.S. administration potentially threatening NATFA, Canada needs to re-examine that balance.

In the six years since Kenya’s M-Pesa brought banking-by-phone to Africa, the service has grown from a novelty to a bona fide payment network. [Bloomberg]

Canada already exports wheat to countries like Nigeria and Ghana. We import rubber and some consumer goods, including South African biltong (a type of dried meat), and Kenya’s Tusker beer. But there are bigger opportunities beyond natural resources and lager in Africa’s emerging tech industry, Rourke says.

Canadian businesses could take a cue from Facebook entrepreneur Mark Zuckerberg, who is touring countries like Nigeria seeking e-commerce start-ups to support and partner with.

A Canadian software company could exploit time differences by setting up a branch office in Ethiopia. At 5 p.m. in the capital Addis Ababa, a game developer hands off the latest project to her colleague in Montreal, where it’s only 10 a.m. The company achieves a productive double-length work day, creates economy-boosting tech jobs in Ethiopia, and helps stem the brain drain afflicting many African countries.

A resident uses a Nokia Asha mobile phone on a street in Nairobi [Bloomberg]

Africa has a combined continental GDP in excess of $3 trillion. It’s a market Canada can no longer afford to overlook, Kianza argues. More than an economic strategy, African trade can also support Canada’s international development efforts.

In the U.S., the African Growth and Opportunity Act gives sub-Saharan countries duty-free access to the U.S. market. In exchange, these countries implement higher standards in workers’ rights and labour conditions. The agreement helped Lesotho build a clothing export industry, creating 40,000 jobs in the country with good working conditions. Many of those jobs went to women, increasing economic opportunities and equality.

Trade is a key component of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the 15-year plan to fight global poverty. At a 2015 conference, UN officials declared, “trade can also help to promote productive employment and decent work, women’s empowerment and food security, as well as a reduction in inequality.”

Business and economic empowerment are among the most powerful tools we have to combat social problems.

In the 21st Century, trade can be the new aid.

Craig and Marc Kielburger are the co-founders of the WE movement, which includes WE Charity, ME to WE Social Enterprise and WE Day. For more dispatches from WE, check out WE Stories.

]]>http://o.canada.com/life/global-voices-why-canada-should-do-business-with-africa/feed0A Kenyan coffee farmer pours ripe coffee berries into a sackcraigkielburgerIn the six years since Kenya's M-Pesa brought banking-by-phone to Africa, the service has grown from a novelty to a bona fide payment network. A resident uses a Nokia Asha mobile phone on a street in NairobiFemale musicians earn their wings in Canada and abroadhttp://o.canada.com/entertainment/music/female-musicians-earn-their-wings-in-canada-and-abroad
http://o.canada.com/entertainment/music/female-musicians-earn-their-wings-in-canada-and-abroad#respondMon, 10 Jul 2017 21:42:58 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=764675]]>James W. Wood

The media can be full of stereotypes wherever we look: from the beatnik jazz poet with dark glasses and beret to some sultry R&B vixen showing out on the video for her latest track. Indeed, female musicians are often more susceptible to stereotyping than males in an industry guilty of concentrating on image more than substance, particularly when it comes to selling units.

Happily, there’s a new generation of female musicians emerging across Canada that challenges preconceptions about musical genres, and the way women are portrayed by the music business. They’re also forging international reputations with major recording labels. For all that these young women are on the path to international success, they’re adamant that hailing from the Great White North has made them what they are today.

Bria Skonberg, a native of Chiliwack and winner of the 2017 Juno award for outstanding vocal jazz album, now lives in Manhattan and tours across the United States, having just released her second album, With a Twist, on Sony Masterworks. Despite her touring schedule and teaching commitments, she retains a strong sense of her Canadian identity — as she puts it with a laugh, “I always tell my audiences I’m from the jazz metropolis of Chiliwack, B.C.!”

Skonberg returns to B.C.’s Fraser Valley at least twice a year to visit family and undertake educational outreach work in local schools. “I left Canada to live in New York because I wanted to feel uncomfortable, and to keep growing creatively,” Skonberg reveals. “New York is the best place for me right now for so many reasons — but I still feel grounded and connected to my roots in Canada.”

Bria Skonberg [Handout]

As for being a woman in the traditionally male-dominated world of jazz, Skonberg says, “A lot of women have worked hard for a long time to get female musicians’ respect. By the time I came on the scene, my teachers were always treating me as an equal. You know, if you can play and hang out, the gender thing is just a side issue. I’m not pretending there aren’t challenges to being a woman in jazz, but when you look at what early pioneers like (1940s trumpeter) Valaida Snow went through, I feel really comfortable with the scene now.”

Another emerging artist who praises Canada for creating opportunities for her career is soul singer Tanika Charles. Born in Toronto and raised in Edmonton, Charles returned to Toronto to further her musical career, and credits her Canadian background with creating “a more open and welcoming environment” for her to explore her talents. Charles specifies: “Being a Canadian does not influence my music – but it does allow me not to be put in a box compared to artists from other backgrounds.”

The last five years have seen Charles’ profile rise quickly, both in Canada and internationally. A Juno nomination in 2010 “got more people listening to my music and enabled me to start performing at bigger venues,” such as London’s famed 100 Club on Oxford Street, and other locations in the U.K. and France. A record deal with Italian soul label Record Kicks followed, and the last three months have been something of a whirlwind, with a second Juno nomination in February followed by the release of her new album, Soul Run, in April and a new single, Endless Chain, in May.

Tanika Charles [Handout]

She also got to support one of her musical heroes, Lauryn Hill, at Toronto’s Massey Hall, an experience she describes as “a dream. This last year has been wonderful and a blessing for me, managing to balance the workload and a personal life.”

And that workload shows no signs of being reduced any time soon, with appearances on the festival circuit across North America planned for this summer, and a second European tour in December 2017, followed by further European dates in early 2018.

Relocation is not on the agenda right now for Nova Scotia-based R&B artist Reeny Smith, whose family and background have played a huge part in forming her identity as an artist and in forging her career: “My Dad was in a gospel group for 20 years and travelled all over Canada and the U.S. My mother was a singer who played in a band with (renowned Nova Scotia blues artist) Carson Downey,” Smith reveals. “So music was a real part of our family when I was growing up.”

Smith’s work has been garlanded with many awards in her native Nova Scotia, and like Tanika Charles, she credits these awards for opening up opportunities for her to play to wider audiences and record with different artists. Her burgeoning career notwithstanding, Smith says she has no plans to leave her native province just yet: “Right now, I’m staying in Nova Scotia. You know, Atlantic Canada has this rep for folk or singer-songwriters, but there is a great R&B scene in Halifax!”

]]>http://o.canada.com/entertainment/music/female-musicians-earn-their-wings-in-canada-and-abroad/feed0Reeny Smithpostmedianews1Bria SkonbergTanika CharlesPop Forecast for July 10: War for the Planet of the Apes and morehttp://o.canada.com/news/pop-forecast-for-july-10-war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes-and-more
http://o.canada.com/news/pop-forecast-for-july-10-war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes-and-more#respondMon, 10 Jul 2017 21:27:29 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=764668]]>Chris Lackner

“You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows,” Bob Dylan sang. But these days, a guide through the seemingly endless flurry of pop culture offerings is just what we need. With that in mind, here is what’s on the radar screen in TV, music and film for the coming week.

MOVIES

Big releases on July 14: War for the Planet of the Apes; Wish Upon.

Big picture: “If we lose, it will be a planet of apes,” a bloodthirsty colonel (Woody Harrelson) tells the remnants of humanity. Have you seen the headlines lately? Can’t happen fast enough if you ask me. They deserve a shot to rule (them or dolphins).

In the third instalment of the prequel franchise, Caesar is pulled into an all-out war with humanity. Yup. Humanity’s knack for violence and stupidity finally pushes the ape with heart and soul over the edge. Of course, even if they’re the good guys, watching armed apes on horseback remains just as bone-chilling as in the campy original … watching them throw grenades from horseback is even more frightening. If only Charlton Heston were there to chastise those “damn dirty apes” with lines like “you blew it up!”

Meanwhile, Wish Upon is essentially a story about an evil genie in a box, minus the genie. (I guess you save on special effects and wisecracks?). When a 17-year-old is given a creepy old music box that promises to grant wishes, she becomes rich, popular and girlfriendable over night — but everyone around her starts going to hell fast. (Speaking of news headlines, it only makes logical sense that Donald Trump found one of these boxes mid-2016. Quick! Someone look in the right-hand drawer of his desk in the Oval Office).

Forecast: Audiences will go ape. Hollywood truly is magical. Only Tinseltown could make money off us rooting for the downfall of our own species. Hail Caesar!

Big picture: Salvation is the story of a small group of elite scientist and military types who learn humanity has only 186 days until it will likely be obliterated by a giant asteroid named Samson. (Where the hell are Bruce Willis and Ben Affleck when we need them?)

Meanwhile, a group of middle-agers navigate 20 years of post-graduation grievances, sexual tension and unrepentant juvenile instincts. It’s like The Big Chill meets Judd Apatow-era comedy, as directed and produced by Nicholas Stoller (Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Neighbors). The talented cast features Keegan-Michael Key, Fred Savage and Cobie Smulders. And finally, the new drama Claws is about the cutthroat nail salon business — think Weeds meets Orange Is the New Black. (I predict/hope this series’ ruthless band of Florida manicurists are all secretly werewolves.)

Forecast: Something for everyone. (Except for me: I’m the only one who wanted a series about friends from college forced to band together to stop a giant meteor populated by space werewolves.)

Honourable mention: Game of Thrones (July 16, HBO Canada). The second last season is only seven episodes, but the cast and crew have said the pace of events is almost relentless. It took nearly a full season 1 for Ned Stark to lose his head. One suspects many characters won’t be able count to themselves so lucky. You can also expect an epic, realistic depiction of dragons attacking a human army. It won’t be pretty.

Neil Young [The Associated Press]

MUSIC

Big releases on July 14: Neil Young (Children of Destiny); The Dears (Times Infinity Volume Two).

Big picture: Rumours linger that Neil Young will put out a summer album of unreleased 1970s acoustic material, titled Hitchhiker. Until that happens, Shakey fans can enjoy his newly released single Children of Destiny. The punchy, electric ballad is a protest song for the Trump era that calls on listeners to get involved, stand up for their rights, resist the powers that be and preserve the land and oceans for “the children of destiny, the children of you and me.” (Or for the Apes and their children. Either way, get cracking.)

Meanwhile, Montreal’s The Dears are back with more elegant, emotional, orchestral indie rock. Frontman Murray Lightburn’s voice is the band’s best instrument, effortlessly conjuring romance, drama, and magic.

Forecast: Chances are you haven’t used the words “times infinity” since your playground days. The Dears offer reason to put it back into your vocabulary. As for Young, his single serves as an appetizer for the full-length that is hopefully to come. Most Canadians would hitchhike on a musical road trip with him to just about anywhere — even through a Planet of the Apes war zone.

This is one of those cruises I’m almost hesitant to tell you about, for the simple reason that I think it is one of British Columbia’s best-kept secrets.
Founded by Russell Markell in 2012, Outer Shores has one mandate: to offer small-ship, expedition-style sailing cruises that explore the wonders of British Columbia’s coastal areas, with an eye to educate guests on the cultural and natural history of the places it visits.
At the heart of the Outer Shores experience is the gorgeous, six-guest Passing Cloud, a classic wooden sailing schooner built in 1974 in Victoria by Brian Walker and designed by William James Roué, architect of the famous sailing schooner Bluenose, shortly before his death in 1970.
I joined Passing Cloud in the small Heiltsuk Nation community of Bella Bella for a special week-long spring cruise through the Great Bear Rainforest that partnered with Sierra Club BC; an organization that works to protect and conserve B.C.’s wild and remote places.
During the day, we explored the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest — a real success story in conservationism. Thanks to efforts from local First Nations, environmental organizations, and the B.C. government, 85 per cent of the region’s costal temperate rainforest is off-limits to industrial logging — an area roughly equal to the size of Vancouver Island.
That’s good news. Once you sail through here, completely alone and drifting in silence over glass-like waters, you begin to realize how precious this region is. Every member of Passing Cloud’s crew is there to guide and educate you on what you’re seeing, from zodiac excursions along the shoreline to full-fledged hikes through the forest. While you might not see the famous all-white Kermode, or Spirit, Bear, you will see wildlife in abundance, from bears to wolves and a plethora of bird and marine life.
The schedule is flexible; as Passing Cloud’s Capt. Matt Lemay likes to say: “We’ve got nowhere to go and all day to get there.”
Expect frequent deviations for wildlife. At one point, we bobbed around for nearly an hour in Fitz Hugh Sound, lingering to watch dozens of dolphins jump clear out of the water mid-channel. The hydrophone was produced and lowered into the water, and the sounds of dolphin chatter soon reverberated across Passing Cloud’s teak decks.
The real charm of these expeditions, though, happens at night, when Passing Cloud tucks into a quiet anchorage, where only the sounds of water and wildlife can be heard. In the morning, take one of the ship’s kayaks out for a quiet, post-coffee interlude with nature. It’s like nothing else I’ve experienced.
Passing Cloud sleeps six guests in three cosy cabins, and typically carries a crew of three. This was my third journey aboard this ship, having sailed with Outer Shores in the past to both Haida Gwaii and the Gulf Islands. Every time I board, she seems to look better and better. My recent journey was no exception: Brightwork gleams and all of Passing Cloud’s gorgeous teak accents and wood panelling were polished to perfection.
The social hub of this small but comfortable ship is her main lounge: a wood-panelled affair rich with nautical accents and a library stocked with titles on the history of coastal First Nations, the history of British Columbia, and dozens of books on the local flora and fauna that you’re likely to encounter at any moment.
You’ll never go hungry, either. Outer Shores now utilizes chefs hailing from higher-end restaurants in Vancouver, who prepare five different meals per day (three mains and two snack courses). Using local ingredients and wines wherever possible, the meals I’ve had on Passing Cloud rival those I’ve had on luxury cruises.
This is one of those cruises you will want to book well in advance. In addition to her summers spent cruising Haida Gwaii, Passing Cloud and her crew sail for the Great Bear Rainforest again next year, with weekly departures beginning Aug. 26, 2018 and running until October.
Outer Shores is also launching new spring expeditions through northern Vancouver Island in May of 2018, along with two new six-day Bears of Bute”voyages that will depart in October 2018 round-trip from Campbell River.
Happy cruising.

Visit portsandbows.com, sponsored by Expedia CruiseShipCenters, 1-800-707-7327, http://www.cruiseshipcenters.com, for daily updates on the latest cruise news, best deals and behind-the-scenes stories from the industry. You can also sign up for an email newsletter on the site for even more cruise information. Aaron Saunders may be contacted directly at portsandbowsaaron@gmail.com

Today’s article comes to you direct from the North Atlantic, from the gently swaying decks of Cunard Line’s superlative flagship, Queen Mary 2.

At 1,130 feet long and 236 feet tall, she is the only modern-day ocean liner, purpose-built to cross the Atlantic in any weather that comes her way. She carries on the tradition that Cunard began back in 1840, when it inaugurated the first scheduled steamship service across the Atlantic aboard the Britannia; a vessel that could, today, fit inside Queen Mary 2’s opulent Britannia Restaurant.

Last year, the ship underwent its largest refit since entering service in 2004. This multimillion-dollar remastering has changed much aboard this 2,705-guest ship — and from my past few days on board, these changes have been overwhelmingly positive.

The underused Wintergarden on Deck 7 is gone, replaced by the elegant Carinthia Club. Cunard didn’t just change the name of the room; it stripped it down to the steel and rebuilt it from the ground up. This new space serves up Illy coffee creations by day, and a huge selection of vintage port wines by night — including one dating back to Cunard’s founding in 1840 that goes for a cool US$4,445. By comparison, there’s a port on the menu for US$7.95 that’s highly affordable for freelance cruise writers.

Just aft of the Carinthia Lounge, the King’s Court Buffet was also completely rebuilt, with new modern decor and hugely improved passenger flow. I used to avoid the King’s Court like the plague. Not anymore — it’s now become a strong contender for best improvement on board.

On the accommodations front, one of the ship’s 1,355 staterooms and suites have been given a sprucing-up, with new soft furnishings, a dramatic new Royal Blue colour scheme for bed runners and throw pillows, new lighting, headboards, artwork, and new wall-mounted flat-panel TVs.

If you cruise solo, Queen Mary 2 has 15 new Britannia Single Oceanview staterooms designed just for you. These are located on Decks 2 and 3L, carved out of former public spaces no one will miss. They’re generously sized, too, measuring 178 to 183 square feet. You’ll have to book early to get one — they sell out faster than some of the ship’s top-of-the-line suites.

Other new and noteworthy features include 30 new Britannia Club class staterooms that add flexible dining, pillow menus and other niceties; and doubling the number of on-board kennels (to 24) for four-legged friends that want to make the crossing. Looked after by a dedicated kennel master, Cunard even added a lamp post and a fire hydrant to their special area on Deck 12 to make these furry friends feel right at home.

Other changes are subtler. Carpeting has been swapped out in every public room, corridor, elevator lobby and staircase, and the new colour schemes complement the ship’s grand decor well.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover bar menus throughout the ship have been given a refresh to add new drink options. This is particularly noteworthy in The Commodore Club on Deck 9, where cocktails have been crafted to honour past Commodores (the highest-ranking captain) of the Cunard Line, complete with fun-to-read histories.

Boredom is not an option on Queen Mary 2. You can take fencing classes, watch a planetarium show in the only such facility at sea, enjoy classical concerts and live music throughout the ship, take part in acting classes, or enjoy multiple fascinating lectures that are often packed to standing-room only. White-gloved high tea is offered every day in the largest ballroom at sea, and the ship’s 20,000-square-foot Canyon Ranch SpaClub has a soothing hydrotherapy pool complex that’s worth the US$106 per person cost of admission for the week.

This year, Queen Mary 2 offers scheduled transatlantic voyages between now and December. Most of these are week-long crossings from New York to Southampton or reverse, but some are eight and nine-night journeys that include stops in Halifax, Le Havre (France) or Hamburg (Germany).

Cunard also offers themed crossings, like Transatlantic Fashion Week (Aug. 31), World Space Week (Oct. 6), and the New York Times Insights crossings (six departures, May to September).

A trip on the remastered Queen Mary 2 might not be the only way to cross, but it’s still the best.

Happy cruising.

Sponsored by Expedia CruiseShipCenters, 1-800-707-7327, www.cruiseshipcenters.com, for daily updates on the latest cruise news, best deals and behind-the-scenes stories from the industry. You can also sign up for an email newsletter on the site for even more cruise information. Aaron Saunders may be contacted directly at portsandbowsaaron@gmail.com

]]>http://o.canada.com/travel/queen-mary-2-remastered-and-raring-to-go/feed00523 Ports Bows May27aaronpsaundersPlenty of pacific voyages for your sailing adventurehttp://o.canada.com/travel/plenty-of-pacific-voyages-for-your-sailing-adventure
http://o.canada.com/travel/plenty-of-pacific-voyages-for-your-sailing-adventure#respondFri, 07 Jul 2017 21:50:40 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=764643]]>Cruises to Alaska dominate the offerings, but itineraries also include such destinations as California, Hawaii and Japan

As much as I love travelling overseas to Europe, Asia and abroad, I have to admit that it’s really nice to be able to take a domestic flight to catch a cruise. The good news is that this year there are more choices than ever for those looking to cruise — at least one way — from a Canadian port of call.

If you happen to be reading this while in Vancouver, you’ll be able to see what I’m talking about just by strolling down to the Canada Place cruise ship terminal. Nearly 16,000 passengers will turn around today in Vancouver, with three ships (Emerald Princess, Star Princess and Nieuw Amsterdam) tying up for the day.

According to the Port of Vancouver, approximately 840,000 people will set sail from Canada Place this year. Of course, cruises to Alaska dominate the offerings, with voyages that either sail round-trip or one-way between Vancouver and Alaskan ports such as Seward and Whittier, which can be combined with overland tours that explore as far inland as Denali National Park and Fairbanks.

Alaska is one of my all-time favourite cruise destinations. With the exception of Norway’s fiords, nothing quite encapsulates the natural beauty of the Inside Passage, Glacier Bay National Park and Tracy Arm Fjord — rain or shine. And it goes without saying that sailway from Vancouver is a world-class experience; one that I never get tired of. If you’re not awed by pushing away from Canada Place (where locals can wave you off thanks to a fantastic observation deck) and passing Coal Harbour and Stanley Park before finally passing under the green expanse of the Lions Gate Bridge, well, I feel for you.

But nestled within all of those cruises to Alaska are a handful of voyages to other destinations. Both Celebrity Cruises (cruise.center/celebrity) and Holland America Line (cruise.center/holland/) are offering up some amazing transpacific crossings this September between Vancouver and Japan, while Carnival (cruise.center/carnival/) and Royal Caribbean (cruise.center/royalcaribbean/) will let you cruise from Vancouver direct to Hawaii that month.

On Sept. 30, Holland America even offers a pseudo-round-trip itinerary that sails from Seattle to Hawaii and back to Vancouver aboard the 2,104-guest Eurodam. This 17-day “Circle Hawaii” itinerary is always one of Holland’s most popular cruises, and it has a tendency to book up fast. Good news, though: as I write this, all cabin categories, from Insides to Suites, are still available.

Then, there are the short “teaser” cruises from Vancouver; the Pacific Coastal voyages that typically close out the Alaska season every September and October. I really love these short voyages, which range in length from one to six days and seem to be offered by every major mainstream cruise line. The affordable price-point doesn’t hurt, either. Some call on a few ports, like Victoria or Astoria, Ore., while other sail straight down the Pacific, bound for Los Angeles and San Diego.

Case in point: Disney Cruise Line’s (cruise.center/disney/) four-night Pacific Coastal voyage from Vancouver to San Diego on Sept. 11 aboard Disney Wonder. Disney offers an absolutely top-notch cruise experience, but regular voyages can get pretty pricey pretty fast. This one’s not cheap, either (it’s just over $1,000 per person at the moment), but if you’re looking to dip your toes into the Disney waters, this quick voyage could be just the thing to do so.

Of course, every time I write about these Pacific Coastal voyages, I always get angry letters from readers who insist anything under seven days isn’t a “real cruise.” I don’t really subscribe to that theory. A short cruise is better than no cruise, no?

And not to worry: East Coast cruisers haven’t been left out of the action — with plenty of departures from Montreal and Quebec City scheduled for this season. Most of these cruises are heading off to ports in Eastern Canada and the Eastern Seaboard of the United States, and are typically one-way journeys between Canada and Boston and New York.

Don’t let that put you off, though: Holland America, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line (cruise.center/norwegian/) all maintain a strong Canadian presence throughout the year, with plenty of departures slated to cruise out of Quebec ports.

You also might be surprised to know that these Canada & New England voyages are no longer just confined to the fall months. Holland America, for example, offers voyages throughout the spring and summer, right into the fall season. You can even book select voyages back to back — creating a cruise that, in effect, departs round-trip from Montreal.

More good news for Quebec: Disney Cruise Line just announced it will send Disney Magic to the province in 2018, offering up two sailings that operate from New York to Quebec City or reverse, with calls on Baie-Comeau and Saguenay in Quebec, and the Nova Scotia capital of Halifax.

]]>http://o.canada.com/travel/plenty-of-pacific-voyages-for-your-sailing-adventure/feed0Ports and Bows May 20aaronpsaundersOne Vista visit and you’ll be back for morehttp://o.canada.com/travel/one-vista-visit-and-youll-be-back-for-more
http://o.canada.com/travel/one-vista-visit-and-youll-be-back-for-more#respondFri, 07 Jul 2017 21:45:46 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=764639]]>Carnival. All I have to do is type that one word and, chances are, you’ve already formed an opinion of what it is to take a Carnival (cruise.center/carnival) cruise. Unless you’ve sailed with the line recently, I’d be willing to bet that your impressions are based on an old, outdated stereotype.

Nothing demonstrates how far the Carnival product has come than the line’s newest flagship, the 133,500-ton Carnival Vista. Launched just last year, Carnival Vista is more than just a brand-new ship; the 3,934-guest megaliner takes Carnival in a bold and exciting new direction, while still providing a high-quality, enormously fun cruise vacation that’s suitable for travellers of all ages.

After spending six days on board, I’m convinced this is one of the line’s best-designed ships. Developed by Carnival’s in-house design team in conjunction with Hamburg, Germany-based Partner Ship Design, the entire vessel has a look that is decidedly Carnival, but in a more grown-up way.

Key among these new spaces is the ship’s three-storey atrium, which boasts a gigantic LED sculpture rising from Deck 3 to Deck 6 displaying digital projections that change nightly. Stairwells are brighter and feature photographic art installations highlighting cities around the world, and even the ship’s photo gallery has gone high-tech. Instead of hunting around on a board filled with photos (like the old days), guests enter their stateroom numbers into an iPad in order to view and print pictures taken by the ship’s photographers.

Carnival Vista also wows in other ways. She’s the first North American-based ship to offer its own brewery, with three unique beers brewed right on board, on tap. She has the first-ever Imax theatre at sea, and the first SkyRide at sea: a pedal-driven contraption attached to a track that takes guests around the ship’s iconic funnel, some 145 feet above the ocean below. I took a spin on it while we were arriving into Cozumel, and the views were spectacular. Just don’t look down!

Carnival Vista also has some pretty cool new accommodations, including the Family Harbor staterooms and suites on Deck 2 that can sleep up to five and include special nautical decor, along with a private lounge that serves breakfast during the mornings and snacks and light bites throughout the day.

Also new: Vista’s new Cuban-themed Havana Staterooms. With their unique, vibrant decor, rainfall showerheads and even private lanais with hammocks, it’s no surprise that these staterooms sell out first. Havana accommodations also have private access to a wonderful area at the stern of the ship with padded loungers, dual hot tubs, and a swimming pool overlooking the wake. It’s a good thing I stayed in a regular balcony stateroom: I’d probably never leave the ship in these Havana staterooms.

If you’ve never sailed with Carnival before, this is the ship to test the waters on. Fair warning: you’ll be back.

Carnival Vista makes her home in the Caribbean. My six-night itinerary was your classic Western Caribbean run, with port calls in Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Georgetown, Grand Cayman; and Cozumel, Mexico. These are great places for any sort of beach or water activity, with crisp sand and clear waters. While Ocho Rios and Grand Cayman don’t offer much in the way of historical sights, this sailing was one of Carnival’s Cozumel Plus voyages. On these cruises, Carnival substantially increases the amount of time you’re in port so it can offer excursions to the ruins of Tulum and Chichen Itza on the Mexican mainland.

My cruise was also a Carnival LIVE sailing. These feature noteworthy artists who come aboard the ship in port for an exclusive performance. Tickets are available for an additional cost (either general admission or a VIP package that includes a meet-and-greet), but are a drop in the bucket compared to what you’d pay on land. Comedian Jay Leno came aboard Carnival Vista in Cozumel for an exclusive performance, and he didn’t disappoint. Past artists have included Styx, Tim McGraw, and Martina McBride, among others.

Carnival Vista sails year-round to the Western, Eastern and Southern Caribbean on voyages ranging from two to nine days in length. Right now, you can hop aboard her in Miami and, from September 2018, on sailings from Galveston, Texas.

Happy cruising.

Sponsored by Expedia CruiseShipCenters, 1-800-707-7327, www.cruiseshipcenters.com, for daily updates on the latest cruise news, best deals and behind-the-scenes stories from the industry. You can also sign up for an email newsletter on the site for even more cruise information. Aaron Saunders may be contacted directly at portsandbowsaaron@gmail.com

]]>http://o.canada.com/travel/one-vista-visit-and-youll-be-back-for-more/feed00505 Ports and BowsaaronpsaundersEuropean river cruises get a makeoverhttp://o.canada.com/travel/european-river-cruises-get-a-makeover
http://o.canada.com/travel/european-river-cruises-get-a-makeover#respondFri, 07 Jul 2017 21:27:22 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=764634]]>I probably shouldn’t admit this since I’m a purveyor of all things cruise, but I really like river cruising.

Europe, Asia, North America – the destination isn’t so important. River cruising is just an incredible, immersive vacation that offers all the conveniences that a big ship cruise on an ocean does, but in a smaller, more manageable package.

The trouble with river cruising is that, up until now, most river cruise lines have targeted just one demographic: the 55-plus crowd. As someone who’s in his mid-30s and loves river cruising, I’ve always felt that’s a bit short-sighted. Sure, river cruising isn’t likely to appeal to the Cancun beachbreak, party-all-day crowd, but there are plenty of 30-and 40-somethings with the time, the money and the desire to take a river cruise who are subtly being left out of the loop.

One river cruise line hopes to change that. Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection (www.cruise.center») , has announced plans to create a new offshoot brand aimed at travellers between the ages of 21 and 45. Dubbed U by Uniworld, the new line will begin sailing in 2018 with two, 120-guest ships: The A, and The B. Bookings for the new line opened last month.

“Uniworld has always strived to lead innovation in the river cruise industry and we saw a great opportunity with U by Uniworld to reach an entirely new audience,” said Ellen Bettridge, president and CEO of Uniworld. “River cruising is the best and most comfortable way to experience all that Europe has to offer, in an affordable way, and we’re incredibly proud to create a brand that will broaden the interest in this type of experiential travel.”

Initially, U by Uniworld will offer four itineraries in Europe spanning eight days in length. These will operate along the Rhine, Main, Danube and Seine rivers and will feature overnight stops and extended stays in major ports of call like Amsterdam, Paris, Vienna and Budapest.

For those who want to take a longer itinerary, three “Super Cruise” options will combine two or even three of these itineraries together to create an immersive journey that lasts between 15 and 22 days.

For those who just want a taste of the river cruise experience, U by Uniworld will also debut two short five-day cruises: Dashing through the Danube and A Merry Little Christmas Cruise, with the latter showcasing Europe’s wonderfully festive Christmas Markets that typically pop up between Nov. 25, and Dec. 24 each year.

While no one is probably going to want to fly all the way to Europe for a five-day river cruise, these itineraries make a great little add-on for those who are already planning a land-based overseas trip and are looking for something a bit out of the ordinary.

Onboard and onshore activities are varied and are geared toward a wide variety of interests, from rock climbing and whitewater rafting to more traditional walking tours. Special evening excursions are also planned, from sampling some of the trendiest bars in Budapest to midnight strolls along the Seine in Paris. Three different excursion options per day will be provided, with a mix of included and extra-cost tours on offer.

Which brings me to the ships.

The A and The B aren’t new river cruise ships, but Uniworld plans to refit them as such. Currently sailing as River Ambassador and River Baroness, each ship will be extensively remodelled (and, based on renderings, given a unique black exterior paint job), before entering service for U by Uniworld next spring.

Three different types of accommodations will be offered onboard, from studio staterooms that can sleep up to three passengers to full-blown suites.

In U by Uniworld parlance, guests will be able to choose their room based on their needs, with the website categorizing rooms as, “I just need a comfortable place to sleep and stash my stuff,” to “I’m going all out in a suite.” Both ships will also feature single-occupancy staterooms for those travelling solo, and room-share rates for like-minded guests of the same sex willing to share a stateroom, similar to what some oceangoing cruise lines offer.

Cruises are expected to start at about $1,699 per person and are available now.

Happy cruising.

Visit portsandbows.com, sponsored by Expedia CruiseShipCenters, 1-800-707-7327, http://www.cruiseshipcenters.com, for daily updates on the latest cruise news, best deals and behind-the-scenes stories from the industry.

You can also sign up for an email newsletter on the site for even more cruise information. Aaron Saunders may be contacted directly at portsandbowsaaron@gmail.com

New sailings for Nieuw Statendam, pair of Vista-class vessels also on line’s voyage agenda

It’s been an exciting couple of weeks for Holland America Line (cruise.center/holland) — so much so that this is the third time I’m updating this week’s column. Before the Seattle-based line announces anything else that’s new and noteworthy, let me tell you about what you can look forward to in the next year or so.

First, the big news: Holland America is going to be starting its first cruises to Cuba this December, with seven-, 11- and 12-day itineraries that include Cuba as part of a broader Caribbean sailing program that will also include stops in a variety of ports in the Western and Eastern Caribbean.

While most itineraries will include an extended call on Havana, Holland America Line is also featuring stops in the pretty seaside city of Cienfuegos on select sailings. These Cuban sailings will operate until April 2018, and the line expects demand for these voyages to be extremely high.

“For many, travel is about seeking new places to explore and discovering meaningful new cultural opportunities, and Cuba is one of the most sought-after new destinations for many of our guests,” said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. “We are excited to finally be able to include Cuba in our itineraries, and our guests and travel partners have been anxiously awaiting a premium cruise experience to this relatively undiscovered Caribbean treasure.”

Bookings literally just opened for these cruises, which will sail round-trip from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., aboard the fabulous 1,350-guest Veendam. Built in 1996, she has been heavily refitted over the years but is still one of my favourite Holland America Line ships thanks to her spacious public rooms, wide-open decks, and uncrowded nature. With most new ships carrying 3,000 or more passengers, a sailing aboard a ship that carries just over a thousand people is a decidedly more relaxing experience.

***

Speaking of new ships, bookings are now open for Holland America’s newest ship, Nieuw Statendam, which will make her debut in late 2018, with her maiden voyage — a 14-day transatlantic crossing from Rome to Fort Lauderdale. Departing on Dec. 5, 2018, this Premiere Voyage will probably sell out quickly, so I wouldn’t wait to snag a stateroom or suite on Nieuw Statendam’s first crossing.

Once she arrives in the United States, Nieuw Statendam will sail a program of Caribbean cruises for the winter 2018-19 season. Most of these will be a week in duration, but Holland America tells me there will also be a handful of three-, four- and 10-day voyages.

While Nieuw Statendam will be similar to her direct sister ship, Koningsdam, she will have her own distinctive decor (as all Holland America Line ships do) that will differentiate her. Heading up the design team are Adam D. Tihany and longtime cruise ship designer and architect, Bjørn Storbraaten.

***

Finally, Holland America has announced more West Coast sailing options this winter, as it positions both Oosterdam (pronounced oh-sterdam) and her sister, Westerdam, out of San Diego for an increased program of Mexican Riviera voyages.

These two Vista-class ships will offer week-long cruises that call on Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta, coupled with a total of three days at sea. This is the “classic” Mexican Riviera run — one that offers plenty for folks who are interested in history, culture, or who just want to kick back in the sand and surf.

In addition to Westerdam’s regularly published schedule, Oosterdam will offer an additional 11 week-long voyages to the Mexican Riviera. These start this coming Sept. 30, with two back-to-back sailings. You can even sail from Vancouver down to the Mexican Riviera on Sept. 25 by pairing the Oosterdam’s Pacific Coast repositioning cruise with her first week-long sailing from San Diego. Voyages operate on a handful of dates between September and February 2018.

I sailed to the Mexican Riviera last year aboard Westerdam and was impressed at the evolution of Holland America’s product in Mexico. On-board cultural events such as dance classes, authentic cuisines and language lessons really enhanced what was already a great product. The line plans to introduce even more of these features with its new Explorations Central concept, which was just refitted onto Westerdam this spring.

Happy cruising.

Visit portsandbows.com, sponsored by Expedia CruiseShipCenters, 1-800-707-7327, http://www.cruiseshipcenters.com, for daily updates on the latest cruise news, best deals and behind-the-scenes stories from the industry. You can also sign up for an email newsletter on the site for even more cruise information. Aaron Saunders may be contacted directly at portsandbowsaaron@gmail.com

]]>http://o.canada.com/travel/holland-america-bound-for-cuba/feed0Ports and Bows June 3aaronpsaundersGlobal Voices: Toronto school builds bridge to reconciliationhttp://o.canada.com/life/global-voices-toronto-school-builds-bridge-to-reconciliation
http://o.canada.com/life/global-voices-toronto-school-builds-bridge-to-reconciliation#respondTue, 04 Jul 2017 08:48:45 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=764588]]>Singing O Canada is a morning ritual familiar to every Canadian student. But at one Toronto school, they’ve added another tradition.

Recently, Craig and former Prime Minister Paul Martin visited Eastview Public School in Scarborough, Ont. They were ushered into the gym in time for assembly. The last note of the national anthem had barely finished when a student marched confidently up to the pair. From a pot in his hands came a sweet-smelling smoke, which he wafted over the visitors with a feather.

Students perform this traditional indigenous smudge ceremony every morning alongside the national anthem.

Eastview is, in small scale, a model and road map for national reconciliation. The school is taking cultural education beyond abstract facts to real understanding through experiential learning.

“Before I came to this school I had no idea about the First Nations. It has made me more open to learn about other people,” says Maria Sethi, a Grade 8 student who has attended Eastview for three years.

One third of Eastview’s 410 students identify as First Nations, Inuit or Métis, says principal Kenneth Morden, while the rest come from other diverse backgrounds. Craig and Martin were there as part of the We Stand Together campaign, designed to build bridges between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples through classroom education (supported by the Martin Family Initiative).

Eastview’s commitment to integrating indigenous culture is evident throughout the school. Morning announcements recognize that the campus resides on six First Nations’ and Métis territories. (The entire Toronto School Board has adopted this honoring practice, but Eastview is proud to have been among the first). Hallways and offices are decorated with indigenous art. In June, Eastview hosted a Pow Wow with more than 2,000 attendees.

“Before I came to this school I had no idea about the First Nations. It has made me more open to learn about other people,” says Maria Sethi, a Grade 8 student.

But integration goes much deeper than events and décor; it’s woven into the curriculum.

Both indigenous and non-indigenous students can choose to learn Ojibwe or French. All grades take classes in indigenous culture and history, including residential schools. Students making dreamcatchers in visual art will also learn its symbolism and traditions: the four medicines, and the seven sacred grandfather teachings.

Eastview’s efforts are having a positive impact on students, staff and families.

Fourteen-year-old Métis student Jahnya Michael tells us she finds her non-indigenous classmates more accepting than students she meets from other schools.

The spirit of inclusion at Eastview helps some indigenous students feel more positive about their relationship with Canada.

“I feel more connected. I identify as both Canadian and indigenous,” says Jahnya.

Seeing their children in a welcoming environment that reflects their culture is also slowly winning the trust of indigenous parents, who still fear an education system that once created residential schools, Morden says.

For teachers, the program has provided opportunities for growth and development. Morden admits he and the other non-indigenous staff still make occasional blunders around cultural sensitivity. One of the hardest but most important lessons, he says, has been accepting criticism gracefully and learning from mistakes.

As Canadians, one of the toughest roads ahead of us is the path to reconciliation. Pathfinders like the staff and students of Eastview can show us the way.

Craig and Marc Kielburger are the co-founders of theWE movement,which includes WE Charity, ME to WE Social Enterprise and WE Day. For more dispatches from WE, check out WE Stories.

“You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows,” Bob Dylan sang. But these days, a guide through the seemingly endless flurry of pop culture offerings is just what we need. With that in mind, here is what’s on the radar screen in TV, music and film for the coming week.

MOVIES

Big Release on July 7: Spider-Man: Homecoming

Big Picture: Spidey spins a web, any size. Even pint size. While Batman keeps getting older (at this rate, Robert Redford will follow Batfleck), Spider-Man just keeps getting younger. This time Peter Parker is played by Tom Holland, the first cinematic Spidey who feels like a true teenage geek. Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield pretended to be nerds, but they became brooding cool cats or snappy hipsters almost the second they were bit by a radioactive spider. And they each (easily), scored the girl of their dreams. Holland’s Parker, on the other hand, awkwardly watches girls from afar – not even confident in the art of daydreaming, let alone seducing. The new Spider-Man gets some supporting star power in the form of Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) – who shows up to play mocking mentor to young Spidey, and to occasionally join forces with him in the battlefield as Iron Man. The newbie villain is The Vulture, a comic-book favourite:

Forecast: This Spider-Man is being treated like a kid all the time, and taking on the big bad guy is his chance to prove himself. By the next instalment, I predict Spidey will be cast as a toddler and will use his web slinging to get access to the cookie jar on top of the fridge, and catch playground bullies just like flies. Look out, here comes the Spider-Man. After his nap, of course.

Big Picture: John Singleton’s FX drama series is an addictive examination of the rise of the crack cocaine epidemic in early 1980s Los Angeles. From dealers and aspiring crime bosses to corrupt cops (and even a Mexican wrestler and part-time muscle), Snowfall is a stormy character study. Meanwhile, Candy Crush is a life-size version of the popular mobile game, hosted by Mario Lopez. (Yawn. Call me when they create a life-size version of Angry Birds). Finally, Castlevania is a dark, adult cartoon based on the 1980s video game about “the man who killed Dracula” (his words), and his vampire-slaying family.

“There is a darkness upon the land, a saviour is needed,” we’re told. (Yawn. Call me when they make a live-action version of Zelda). To give credit where it’s due, this series is penned by acclaimed comic-book writer Warren Ellis. So, don’t put a stake in it, yet.

Forecast: Two new series based on video games? I guess they’re the new comic books. By fall 2018, I predict every other TV series will co-star a Pokémon.

Kevin Drew, left, and Emily Haines of Broken Social Scene [The Canadian Press]

MUSIC

Big Releases on July 7: Broken Social Scene (Hug of Thunder); Haim (Something to Tell You)

Big Picture: Broken Social Scene is the superhero team of Canadian indie rock. Even Leslie Feist and Emily Haines rejoin their band of musical avengers for the group’s fifth collaborative effort. What can you expect? Fifteen musicians, for starters. The usual glorious mix of resonant, fuzzy guitar chords, joyous harmonies, psychedelic rock-outs, and epic instrumental bridges.

We’re told the album title represents what the band “sounds like,” and this BSS reunion promises to inject some positivity into the world with music that is “righteous but warm, angry but loving, melodic but uncompromising.”

Meanwhile, Haim is like Fleetwood Mac meets Wilson Phillips. This L.A.-based band of sisters is rapidly – and rightfully – taking over the airwaves with a second, highly anticipated album. The self-styled “rock nerds” (Este, Danielle, and Alana), would all make great Spidey girlfriend material – if they weren’t a bit too old for him at 31, 28 and 25.

Forecast: Haim has Something to Tell You. Listen up. There’s nothing like a hug to bring a Broken Social Scene back together.

]]>http://o.canada.com/entertainment/pop-forecast-for-july-3-spider-man-homecoming-snowfall-and-more/feed0Spider-Man: Homecomingpostmedianews1Damson Idris as Franklin Saint in SnowfallKevin Drew, left, and Emily Haines of Broken Social SceneThe Amazing Race Canada players ‘so competitive’ in Season 5, says showrunnerhttp://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/the-amazing-race-canada-players-so-competitive-in-season-5-says-showrunner
http://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/the-amazing-race-canada-players-so-competitive-in-season-5-says-showrunner#respondMon, 03 Jul 2017 06:45:10 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=764593]]>Barrelling around the corner in a blur of backpacks and Spandex, the teams battling it out on The Amazing Race Canada scan Capilano Suspension Bridge Park for a falconer with a clue to their next destination. Each team’s camera crew runs far too fast for 9 o’clock in the morning, trying to keep up.

It’s the second day of a two-day leg that kicks off season 5 of the travel competition. Yesterday, they were in St. Johns, NL, taking on challenges involving the Coast Guard, the harbour docks and Cabot Tower.

But this is Vancouver. In a destination filled with trees an arm span wide, no less. The smell of cedar sweetens the air, while a nearby river chats up invisible birds. One by one, the teams scuttle to the falconer’s base and await her directions.

“Woah, this is Canada? This is amazing!” someone shouts, and a blond gallops up with high fives for everyone. But the falcon perched on her caretaker’s arm is not amused. Neither are the two owls in their habitat behind them, complaining about interrupted sleep.

Luckily, birds aren’t The Amazing Race’s target demographic. The homegrown competition continues to be ratings gold for CTV — last season averaged 1.9 million viewers per week, making it the No. 1 summer series each year it’s been on.

Sam Lambert and Paul Mitskopoulos tackle the next challenge on season 5 of Amazing Race Canada. [CTV]

This season sticks with the winning formula. Ten teams of two race across Canada and abroad, tackling challenges — including ones celebrating confederation — for the grand prize: a pair of Next Generation 2018 Chevrolet Equinox cars, a trip around the world for two and $250,000 in cash.

It’s enough to make the most jovial contestant play with a little more hustle and muscle.

“Season 1 was ‘Oh my god, I can’t believe we’re doing this!” says showrunner Mark Lysakowski. “And then seasons after that, you know what to expect. But the cast is so competitive this year, fighting for every little thing in every leg. It’s like watching a really cool live sporting event.”

“In season 1, I don’t think anybody got U-turned,” adds host Jon Montgomery, referring to one team’s option to force another to do a challenge they didn’t originally choose. “That was pretty pure Canadiana, but it’s also probably not the best strategy for winning. This season, nobody’s pulling any punches and they’re playing to win.”

Among the contestants: Aaron and Deborah Baker, a mother and son who work as funeral directors (and are wearing matching suits to boot); Sam Lambert and Paul Mitskopoulos, boyfriends from Toronto; Zed and Shabbir Dhalla, a cancer-survivor dad and his son; and Kenneth McAlpine and Ryan LaChapelle, surfer-dude best friends (“They’re the ultimate Canadian hosers,” says Lysakowski).

Hollering and fist-pumping the air, the teams wobble across the Capilano Suspension Bridge — 70 metres above the river and 137 metres long — and set off in search of the Gassy Jack statue for their next clue.

Mom and son Deborah and Aaron Baker are risk-taking funeral directors who refer to themselves as “last responders.” [CTV]

Vancouver itself is a blend of modern and rustic, with glittering condos and stores like Holt Renfrew, Harry Rosen and Sephora tucked behind cherry blossom trees. Ever-present in the background are rows of mountains dressed formally in evergreens and capped in snow. The Pacific Ocean sprinkles salt in the air.

From Gassy Jack, in the historic section downtown, the racers will make their way to one of the show’s most dramatic challenges yet: a tightrope walk between two roofs at The Fairmont Hotel. Actually, the term “tightrope” might be generous. It’s more of a thumbwidth strap that flits in the wind, as if the task of keeping a human from falling 14 stories into traffic were as easy as brunch.

Two by two, the competitors tiptoe across the strap, wearing a harness that acts like a designated driver to the wiggling strap’s party girl. Crew on both roofs pull and strain to adjust the rigging as the teams go along.

“Woooo! Oh my God, that was so awesome. Oh my Goooooooddd! This is awesome! This is awesome!” yells fitness consultant Ebonie Roberge, as she dismounts. Shortly after, events coordinator LaChappelle tumbles midway through his second attempt, dangling helplessly as the harness hauls him up.

“There are always snap judgments (you make about the racers), that you’re pleasantly surprised by or let down by,” says Montgomery.

“People don’t maybe challenge themselves as hard as you think they should on a particular challenge. But when someone does have a moment like that, I promise you, on this show, they always redeem themselves … They can’t pussyfoot their way through the race and expect to come out as champions.”

Ryan LaChappelle navigates a tightrope walk between roofs at the Fairmont Hotel. [CTV]

Across the street, pedestrians take pictures of the competitors navigating the strap above. Incoming teams mingle with them, cheering on their peers. And in a production vehicle nearby, Tom Petty’s 1989 Free Fallin’ plays on a CD — the driver’s seemingly oblivious to the irony.

“In the first season, we were very concerned about the public leaking information while we were racing. Like, ‘Oh, my god it’s all over social media. Since then, I have not really cared because it creates excitement,” says Lysakowski.

The hardest thing, he says, is keeping the show fresh.

With the U.S. version of The Amazing Race wrapping its 29th season last month, and the Canadian version debuting its fifth season soon after, race overload is a real threat.

This year, CTV introduces two new features for viewers looking for a little more oomph.

Race Play will integrate each episode’s action into in-show polls and trivia, which happen in real time, and VR360 experiences will use immersive video capture to bring fans inside some of the most gruelling challenges.

“I still think there are more seasons in the show. I still think there are more places we can go. And we’re going to go back to certain places — there are more shows in Toronto, there are more shows in Vancouver, in Calgary,” says Lysakowski.

“The thing about Canada is that there are so many cool things that are going on, and I’m always on the lookout for new things to do and new places to go, and new things to see. And that to me is the best part of this show — discovering Canada.”

These distractions aside, our past is complicated. To ensure a better future, we have to take an honest look at what Canada has done right — serving as a beacon of freedom for former slaves and opening our doors to refugees. And wrong — cultural genocide inflicted by residential schools and the Second World War internment of Japanese Canadians.

Amid calls to celebrate our accomplishments and reflect on our shortfalls, we haven’t heard enough about how to move forward as a nation and take ownership over the next 150 years.

Perhaps we can do it with a birthday gift. We want all Canadians to give a gift of service for the future of our country. On July 1, Canadians will mark the milestone with a party. On July 2, we’re inviting everyone to harness that inspiration and launch a year of service to set the tone for the next 150.

Roméo Dallaire, humanitarian, author, and retired general and senator, will appear, along with other luminaries, on the WE Day Canada stage [Gavin Young/Calgary Herald]

The best gift we can give our communities, our country and future generations of Canadians is to come together as a nation to solve the biggest issues we’re facing. How do we advance reconciliation? Protect the environment? Create a healthy multicultural and diverse society? How do we share the best of Canada with the world?

We are honoured to be part of the July 2 celebration on Parliament Hill, an event open to all who are willing to help Canadians answer these questions.

Together, we’ll look to the future with some of the brightest minds in the country — but even more importantly, many of the most engaged young people. Leaders who take the stage at WE Day Canada will be paired with young people who share their passion.

Chris Hadfield will speak about his journey from small-town Ontario to the stars. He’ll share the stage with Mila Solaja, the Toronto teen who’s breaking down gender barriers in science, advocating for young girls in STEM.

The best gift we can give our communities, our country and future generations of Canadians is to come together as a nation to solve the biggest issues we’re facing.

National Chief Perry Bellegarde will share his life’s — work advocating for indigenous communities. He’ll be joined by Amelia Boissoneau, a teenager from Blaine Lake, Sask. She was told her indigenous skin wasn’t beautiful but now champions diversity on the runway as a model.

YouTube sensation Lilly Singh will talk about finding her voice and using it to inspire others. She’ll be joined by some of the most popular social media personalities from across Canada who are creating inclusive and supportive online communities.

Nelly Furtado. Roméo Dallaire. P.K. Subban. Margaret Trudeau. All will pledge a gift to the country at the event — free to everyone, and streamed live on Facebook.

Wherever you are on Canada Day, we hope you’ll reflect on what we want to accomplish over the next 150 years.

What’s your gift to Canada?

Craig and Marc Kielburger are the co-founders of theWE movement,which includes WE Charity, ME to WE Social Enterprise and WE Day. For more dispatches from WE, check out WE Stories.

“You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows,” Bob Dylan sang. But these days, a guide through the seemingly endless flurry of pop culture offerings is just what we need. With that in mind, here is what’s on the radar screen in TV, music and film for the coming week.

• MOVIES

Big Releases on June 30: Despicable Me 3; The House

Big Picture: The Minions go to prison, and Gru goes back to the Dark Side (or at least the Grey Side). After Gru learns he has a twin brother named Dru (basically Gru with hair and a perma smile instead of a perma frown), he gets lured back into the sheer joys of villainy. Trey Parks also returns as Balthazar Bratt; and Kristin Wig is back as Dru’s secret-agent wife Lucy. Meanwhile, The House is like Risky Business meets Casino. After Scott and Kate Johansen (Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler) lose their daughter’s college fund, they do what any sane couple would do: open up an illegal underground casino complete with bookies, prostitutes, drugs and thugs. “Frank’s Place” even includes Club Ooze, which stars 11-year-old mega DJ Magnus de Magna. Bring on the edgy laughs.

Forecast: Only Ferrell has the goofy, over-the-top combo of innocence, ineptitude and ignorance to pull off morally challenged characters, and make them instantly loveable. Oddly enough, the Minions of Despicable Me make us love them for the same reasons.

Big Picture: For some inexplicable reason, Battle of the Network Stars revives a celebrity athletic competition from the ’70s and ’80s. The word “Stars” in the title should be in quotation marks. Tune in if you want to see the likes of Nick Lachey, Joey Lawrence and Ian Ziering engage in “athletic competition” — and occasionally get dropped in a dunk tank. In Gypsy, Naomi Watts plays a therapist battling her worst impulses. Lines are blurred, and then crossed irrevocably, after she inserts herself in her troubled patients’ lives. The series co-stars Billy Crudup and Lucy Boynton. “There’s one force my powerful than free will,” her character explains. “Our desires.” (This won’t end well). Meanwhile, Becoming Canadian provides a candid snapshot of citizenship ceremonies and tells the stories of some of the nearly 250,000 people who will become Canadian in 2016-17. Narrated by Canadian rapper Kardinal Offishall, the six-part factual series will air leading up to Canada Day.

Forecast: Becoming Canadian will make a touching 150th birthday present. On a related note, CTV’s recent special Canada in a Day comes to CraveTV on June 30. It’s based on video submissions from Canadians over 24 hours last September… so I assume that at least 30 minutes of the two-hour production will consist of people standing in line at Tim Hortons, or taking selfies with our prime minister.

Honourable Mention: Okja (June 28, Netflix). Bong Joon-ho’s follow-up to Snowpiercer is a sci-fi monster movie where humans are the real threat. When evil scientists create a new kind of ecologically friendly livestock (imagine a hybrid of Dumbo, the three little pigs, plus Falkor from The Neverending Story), it forms an unlikely bond with a young girl. When it’s captured and sent off to the slaughterhouse, all hell breaks loose. (It’s basically E.T. meets Free Willy meets Taken.)

TLC [WENN]

• MUSIC

Big Releases on June 30: TLC (TLC); The Philosopher Kings (Still the One)

Big Picture: TLC is back with words of wisdom like “a scrub is a guy that can’t get no love from me” and “don’t go Chasing Waterfalls.” The heralded ’90s girl group releases their fifth and final studio album, which features unreleased material from the late Lisa Lopes. Meanwhile, Canadian cult band the Philosopher Kings reunite and debut the new single from their fifth album, due out later this year. They’ve apparently been busy writing and producing for the likes of Drake and James Blunt, but turned their musical energy back to their own acclaimed indie pop. Still the One is the much-needed first step in the Return of The Kings (also the name of their upcoming full release). Frontman Gerald Eaton and company last put out an album in 2006. Here’s hoping their new work is on par with their 1997 breakthrough Famous, Rich and Beautiful.

Forecast: We could use some philosophy these days. Long live the Kings.

]]>http://o.canada.com/entertainment/pop-forecast-for-june-26-despicable-me-3-becoming-canadian-and-more/feed0Despicable Me 3postmedianews1Gypsy Season 1TLCTelly With Melly for June 5: Brother vs. Brother, Hot Girls Wantedhttp://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/telly-with-melly-for-june-5-brother-vs-brother-hot-girls-wanted
http://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/telly-with-melly-for-june-5-brother-vs-brother-hot-girls-wanted#respondFri, 23 Jun 2017 21:30:24 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=764559]]>There’s brotherly love — as in putting up with a sibling who steals your secret candy stash. And then there’s brotherly love — as in teaming up with him to build a home-renovation empire and land among the most recognized personalities on HGTV.

For twins Drew and Jonathan Scott, it’s the latter. On Monday, they kick off Season 5 of Brother vs. Brother: Jonathan vs. Drew. Their signature series, Property Brothers, ended Season 6 last week and their second book, It Takes Two: Our Story, is out Sept. 5.

In this season of Brother vs. Brother, the duo each have $600,000 to buy and transform two houses into vacation retreats. Older brother JD is the referee over weekly challenges: the winner does fun things like zip lining and playing with penguins, while the loser endures an exercise in unpleasantness, like catching shrimp for the winner’s dinner.

All proceeds from the homes’ sales go to the non-profit Rebuilding Together.

“He’s desperate to win,” Jonathan, who won the last two seasons, told The New York Times. “I was also born first, so I also won that competition.”

Said Drew of their success: “The shows are not so foofy that guys don’t want to watch, kids want to watch because we’re goofy and women appreciate it because you’re getting real design knowledge.”

It might also help that they were named among People’s 2013 collection of sexiest men alive. Brother vs. Brother drew more than 14 million U.S. viewers last season.

The sex factor

Not only is Rashida Jones starring in Season 3 of Angie Tribeca (airing Mondays on Comedy), but she also produced Netflix’s docuseries Hot Girls Wanted: Turned On. It explores topics related to sex and technology, like feminist porn, Tinder and rapes posted online.

“Things were very different than when I was growing up: On the one hand, there’s a ton more sexual freedom. There’s a ton more room for young women to be whoever they want, show whatever they want, which is great,” Jones told Time.

“On the other hand, there’s a lot more pressure to be sexy. That was my in into this world because I think technology is a huge part of that. There’s a lot to unpack.”

Monster tales

River Monsters travels to a fishing community in Papua New Guinea for the new episode Volcanic Island Terror, airing Monday on Discovery. Residents are terrified when something in the water leaves a trail of bloody victims in its wake, and the only clues they have are the large puncture wounds it left behind. One man describes it as large, black big-headed fish. Cue the full-body shudder.

This week’s water-cooler worthy moment is brought to you by the adorable Darci Lynne Farmer of Oklahoma City. The 12-year-old’s mission: Keep the art of ventriloquism alive (and move on to the show’s next round) by having her rabbit puppet Petunia belt out a killer rendition of Summertime while not moving her lips a millimetre on America’s Got Talent’s season 12 premiere. Mission accomplished. If you’re late to the party, Google it now.

DeMario-no!

We already knew Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay was all kinds of awesome. But the way she handled the situation with DeMario — whose angry ex-girlfriend, Lexi, appeared out of thin air during a group date — put her up there with Wonder Woman. After several minutes of watching a smirking DeMario bicker with Lexi about whether he had properly dumped her before going on the show, Lindsay put an end to the madness by telling him she’s not here to be played or made a fool of and he should “get the f— out.” It’s not the first time a Bacherlorette has laid down the law, but Lindsay’s level of assertion proves she’s serious — and any suitors who aren’t had better stumble over to the mansion exit. (We mean you, Whaboom Guy.) But wait — at the cliffhanger ending, DeMario returned, and Lindsay agreed to let him explain. Stick to your guns, girl!

Bachelor Nation mourns

Former Bachelorette contestant Michael Nance was found dead this week in his South Austin, Texas, residence. Police found Nance, 31, unconscious when they reached the scene and pronounced him dead at 3 a.m. on May 29. Remember Michael? He was the soft-spoken guitarist and rehab counsellor from Texas who vied for Emily Maynard’s heart on season 8 of the Bachelorette. He was eliminated just four weeks in. During his intro on the season premiere, he opened up about this three-year sobriety after battling an addiction to prescription pain meds. “It’s a vicious cycle and it ate away at me for a long time,” he said. His cause of death is to be determined, but investigators do not consider the death suspicious.

So you think she can judge?

Vanessa Hudgens of Grease Live! and High School Musical fame is set to join the panel on the upcoming season of So You Think You Can Dance, which is great and all, but did you also hear judge Mary Murphy is coming back after a three-year break?! Insert shrieks of excitement here. SYTYCD, hosted by another long-timer, Cat Deeley, returns to its original format (where dancers are ages 18-30 rather than 8-13) when it returns for a 14th season on June 12 (Fox).

]]>http://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/reality-check-americas-got-talent-bachelorette-and-more/feed0America's Got Talent - Season 12lwardpostmediaTelly With Melly: Canadian ratings for the week of May 15-21http://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/telly-with-melly-canadian-ratings-for-the-week-of-may-15-21
http://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/telly-with-melly-canadian-ratings-for-the-week-of-may-15-21#respondFri, 23 Jun 2017 21:19:14 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=764549]]>How about that NCIS finale? In a week packed with season-enders, the cliffhanger episode on May 16 had the most Canadians gripping their sofa armrests.

It started with a Navy SEAL going missing and ended up with Gibbs (Mark Harmon), and McGee (Sean Murray), left behind in Paraguay in a shootout — McGee with a pregnant wife back home. A full 2.2 million Canadians tuned in for the drama, along with 13.3 million Americans.

Murray told Entertainment Weekly much of the end sequence was shot on Soledad Canyon in Southern California, as well as a nearby location.

“I’m not sure what it’s called,” he said. “It’s where we typically go to do a lot of the Middle Eastern stuff. We do Afghanistan there sometimes. It looks pretty good, doesn’t it?”

The next biggest finale was NCIS: New Orleans with 1.8 million Canadian viewers. From there, Designated Survivor, Grey’s Anatomy, Chicago P.D. and Saturday Night Live all made the top 10.

Elsewhere in the ratings, the two-hour season finale of The Blacklist covered the No. 14 and No. 18 spots.

Across the country, NCIS drew the most eyeballs in Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton. CTV Evening News won out in Montreal, while Survivor outwitted, outlasted and outplayed in the Greater Toronto Area.

Here are the top programs in Canada for the week of May 15-21, the most recent ratings available, courtesy of audience measurement organization Numeris:

1. NCIS, Global

2. Survivor, Global

3. NHL Playoffs Round 3, CBC

4. NCIS: New Orleans, Global

5. Bull, Global

6. Designated Survivor, CTV

7. Grey’s Anatomy, CTV

8. Chicago P.D., Global

9. The Amazing Race, CTV

10. Saturday Night Live, Global

11. Billboard Music Awards, CTV

12. CTV Evening News, CTV

13. Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., CTV

14. The Blacklist (Thurs. 10-11 p.m. ET), Global

15. Lucifer, CTV

16. Big Brother Canada (Wed.), Global

17. The Voice Results, CTV

18. The Blacklist (Thurs. 9-10 p.m. ET), Global

19. The Big Bang Theory (Thurs. 8-8:30 p.m. ET), CTV

19. The Big Bang Theory (Thurs. 8:30-9 p.m. ET), CTV — TIE

21. CTV National News, CTV

22. The Voice, CTV

23. Modern Family, City

24. Big Brother Canada (Thurs.), Global

25. Chicago Fire, Global

26. Scorpion, City

27. Big Brother Canada (Mon.), Global

28. Blindspot, CTV

29. Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders, CTV

30. CTV Evening News Weekend, CTV

]]>http://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/telly-with-melly-canadian-ratings-for-the-week-of-may-15-21/feed0Mark Harmon in NCISmhank2012Telly With Melly for June 1: Life Below Zero, Scripps National Spelling Beehttp://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/telly-with-melly-for-june-1-life-below-zero-scripps-national-spelling-bee
http://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/telly-with-melly-for-june-1-life-below-zero-scripps-national-spelling-bee#respondFri, 23 Jun 2017 21:13:33 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=764544]]>Focusing on folks who inhabit notoriously inhabitable areas, Life Below Zero visits Alaska on Thursday. Hardy fella Glenn Villeneuve lives in a one-room cabin with no running water. His only fuel for heating and cooking is the firewood he chops with an axe, and he uses electricity for just a few items, including a satellite phone, headlamp and camera.

“I’ve always been independent, and I really like the autonomy of being able to live in the wilderness by myself … It’s exciting to learn new skills and practise them,” Villeneuve told The Asian Age.

“I also think the connection to nature is more real — I’d rather wake up in the morning and look out and see an owl in a nest, than look at it on TV. It’s been really rewarding for me, even if there’s a lot of work involved.”

Villeneuve, who moved to Alaska from Vermont in 2000, also spoke about the loneliness that can haunt the bush.

“I’ve been lonely. Once I went for four months without even seeing another human being! I don’t like that kind of isolation, but I put up with it because I wanted the other experiences,” he said.

“I do have a family now in Fairbanks, I have three children, and I’m about to have the fourth. Sometimes, my family comes to the bush with me. Humans are definitely not meant to live alone.

Life Below Zero is now airing its seventh season on Travel + Escape.

Sit for a spell

The Scripps National Spelling Bee wraps its 90th year, with the final rounds broadcast Thursday on TSN. Part 1 airs earlier in the day. Part 2 airs later.

Initially, 11 million students aged between six and 15 were in the race. But by the time the event hit Maryland, the field was down to 291.

“What started as a quaint contest with nine students has flourished into a national treasure where hard work is recognized and rewarded, and the lessons learned can last a lifetime,” said executive director Paige Kimble.

Last year, Jairam Hathwar won with the word Feldenkrais (a type of exercise therapy) and Nihar Janga won with the word Gesellschaft (describing social relations based on impersonal ties).

Game on!

For the 10th year running, ABC and TSN will broadcast Jimmy Kimmel Live: Game Night. Special episodes will air during prime time each night of the NBA Finals beginning on Thursday. In addition to marquee guests — including Kevin Hart, Robert Downey Jr., Will Ferrell, Owen Wilson, Jamie Foxx, Billy Crystal and Snoop Dogg — viewers can expect a Mean Tweets: NBA Edition segment and a celebrity three-point challenge.

]]>http://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/telly-with-melly-for-june-1-life-below-zero-scripps-national-spelling-bee/feed0Glenn Villeneuve stars in Life Below Zeromhank2012Telly With Melly for May 31: The Carmichael Show, Food Delicious Sciencehttp://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/telly-with-melly-for-may-31-the-carmichael-show-food-delicious-science
http://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/telly-with-melly-for-may-31-the-carmichael-show-food-delicious-science#respondFri, 23 Jun 2017 21:07:13 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=764539]]>The Carmichael Show — a comedy that’s been reverently described as Norman Lear-like for its grasp on the cultural zeitgeist — is back Wednesday with season 3. And though the show has already tackled tinderbox topics like religion, guns, death, birth control, Black Lives Matter and Islamophobia, one of the show’s stars says an upcoming episode will be particularly provocative.

Titled Cynthia’s Birthday, it features Jerrod (Jerrod Carmichael), giving his mom (Loretta Devine), a book to mark a milestone. Instead, the incident triggers a conversation about literacy in the African-American community.

“I was a little upset about them saying black people don’t read, because I have always read. I love to read,” Devine told Los Angeles Daily News.

Later in the episode, one of Jerrod’s Caucasian friends affectionately uses the N-word to refer to him, which spawns a heated debate.

“It’s a conversation I was having with a lot of my friends, just about who should use (the N-word), and when it’s appropriate,” explained Carmichael, who’s also a co-creator and co-writer for the show. “I just wanted to do an episode that really articulated my feelings around it.”

Added Devine: “People are going to be shocked when they see the episode. I just hope the NAACP doesn’t come and get us.”

The season premières, however, with back-to-back episodes dealing with sexual consent and what it means to support the troops. Also starring Amber Stevens West and David Alan Grier, The Carmichael Show airs on NBC.

“The sulphur-like, stinky-sock-smelling, volatile aroma molecules from stinky cheese stimulate a unique combination of receptors to help us identify the smell,” he said.

“But when you eat it, something magical happens: The aroma compounds are released in your mouth and they waft up the back of your nose. They’re detected by the same smell detectors, but weirdly your brain perceives them as very different than if you lean forward and sniff them up the front of your nose.”

“Canadians are generally humble about the game-changing contributions and extraordinary achievements to humankind’s advancements we’ve made both here and around the world,” Aykroyd said in a statement.

What would happen if our wheat, oil and water disappeared? Or our inventions, like insulin and the alkaline battery, remained un-invented? The miniseries posits nothing short of global meltdown.

]]>http://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/telly-with-melly-for-may-31-the-carmichael-show-food-delicious-science/feed0The Carmichael Show - Season 2mhank2012Telly With Melly for May 30: SpongeBob SquarePants, Fear Factorhttp://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/telly-with-melly-for-may-30-spongebob-squarepants-fear-factor
http://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/telly-with-melly-for-may-30-spongebob-squarepants-fear-factor#respondFri, 23 Jun 2017 21:01:45 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=764534]]>It’s a good day for fans of quadrilateral clothing. Nickelodeon has announced that SpongeBob SquarePants has been renewed through to its 12th season. The animated show set in Bikini Bottom is currently in its 10th season. In Canada it airs on Nickelodeon and YTV.

“I’m one lucky airbreather to be the voice of Stephen Hillenburg’s briny brainchild! This pickup is great news for me and my pliable poriferan pal!” the voice of SpongeBob, Tom Kenny, told Entertainment Weekly.

“SpongeBob SquarePants has the best creator, cast, and Krusty Krew on land or sea, and the best part is that I feel like the episodes we are doing right now are some of the most surreal, bizarre, crazy, creative ones ever! SpongeBob may be square, but he keeps on rolling right along!”

The 26-episode 12th season of SpongeBob will air in 2019 — the 20th anniversary of the show, and the year the third movie based on it hits theatres. The voice cast members are also set to return: In addition to Kenny, there’s Bill Fagerbakke as Patrick Star, Roger Bumpass as Squidward, Clancy Brown as Mr. Krabs, Carolyn Lawrence as Sandy Cheeks and Mr. Lawrence as Plankton.

The show airs in more than 208 countries and territories, and is translated in more than 55 languages.

Play it by Fear

Remember Fear Factor? That stomach-turning stunt show that aired in the 2000s on NBC? Well, it’s back — this time with rapper-actor Chris Bridges (a.k.a. Ludacris) as its host and executive producer.

“Technology has changed so much since that (first) one has been on,” Bridges told the New York Post. “All respect to the original, I just thought that I want to make it more up to date and give it a different spin.”

As in the original, hosted by Joe Rogan, this Fear Factor pits four teams of two against each other as they attempt dares for the $50,000 prize. Among the challenges? Contestants must climb more than 100 feet to rescue their cellphones. The show debuts Tuesday on MTV.

Farewell, Lindsay

Sophia Bush won’t be a show regular on Chicago P.D. next season, Deadline reports. The actress, who plays Det. Erin Lindsay, is out at the NBC drama after four seasons. But, she could appear in a guest-starring arc to wrap up her character’s fate — Lindsay was last seen mulling a job offer at the FBI’s counter-terrorism unit in New York City. Chicago P.D. also airs on Global.

]]>http://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/telly-with-melly-for-may-30-spongebob-squarepants-fear-factor/feed0SpongeBob SquarePantsmhank2012Reality Check for May 27: The Bachelorette, The Voice, Dancing with the Starshttp://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/reality-check-for-may-27-the-bachelorette-the-voice-dancing-with-the-stars
http://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/reality-check-for-may-27-the-bachelorette-the-voice-dancing-with-the-stars#respondFri, 23 Jun 2017 20:07:53 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=764530]]>Whaboom or bust.

If you need proof that some reality TV shows may in fact be stretching reality (shocking, we know), look no further than Monday’s premiere episode of The Bachelorette. How else to explain why gorgeous, intelligent Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay decided not to eliminate “The Whaboom Guy”? Perhaps the most annoying contestant in the ABC matchmaking franchise’s history, The Whaboom Guy (30-year-old Lucas Yancey of California) spent nearly all of his airtime emitting a “whaboom” roar so explosive it would draw a sideways glance from the Tasmanian Devil. Rachel’s forced laughter (at him, not with him) was an early indicator there’s no way she will end up with this guy. Besides, she doesn’t strike us as the type to suffer fools gladly. But fools are the stuff reality TV is made of, and the show — and Whaboom — must go on.

Winners winners.

May Sweeps is doing a fine job of cleaning up all of the reality remnants to make way for summer’s guiltier pleasures (Bachelor in Paradise? Don’t mind if I do.) That includes The Voice and Dancing with the Stars, which wrapped their respective 12th and 24th seasons this week. It was victory at last for Alicia Keys, whose singer Chris Blue won the grand prize, and — almost as important — came ahead of frequent winner Blake Shelton’s two performers (Lauren Duski and Aliyah Moulden). Meanwhile, yet another football player won that gawdawful mirror ball trophy on DWTS. With the help of pro partner Emma Slater, Rashad Andre Jennings became the fourth NFLer to land the winning title on DWTS. Touchdown dance? Check.

Calgarian (and Global) claim the final pot.

Pro poker player Kevin Martin of Calgary won Season 5 of Big Brother Canada last week, taking home $100,000, a $30,000 GC for The Brick and a 2017 Toyota 86. Victoria’s Karen Singbell was the runner-up, and third place went to Demetres Giannitoses of Edson, Alta. Perhaps the biggest winner of all? Global TV, which maintained a weekly average of one million viewers and a weekly spot in Canada’s TV Top 30 during the season’s entire two-month run. Big Brother is watching — and so is Canada, apparently.

Tyra’s got trouble.

America’s Got Talent won’t get going until May 30 (NBC/Citytv), but the drama — oh, it’s getting real. New judge Tyra Banks is being accused of traumatizing a contestant’s daughter, alleges a lawsuit filed against the competition series’ production company. Court files obtained by the New York Daily News show singer-songwriter “Jane Doe” and her guitarist husband “John Doe” say Banks not only criticized their AGT audition — for which they performed a song about their daughter, Mary — but she also shook Mary’s shoulder, insinuated Mary was accidentally conceived and tried to “physically manipulate her.” Marathon Productions has promised not to feature Mary on the show, but it won’t promise to avoid running the couple’s performance. The punishment? A lawsuit claiming intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, civil battery and assault.

]]>http://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/reality-check-for-may-27-the-bachelorette-the-voice-dancing-with-the-stars/feed0Lucas Yancey of The BachelorettelwardpostmediaTelly With Melly: Canadian ratings for the week of May 8-14http://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/telly-with-melly-canadian-ratings-for-the-week-of-may-8-14
http://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/telly-with-melly-canadian-ratings-for-the-week-of-may-8-14#respondFri, 23 Jun 2017 20:01:13 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=764526]]>No doubt, Saturday Night Live has had a stellar season. Alec Baldwin’s pouting buffoonery as U.S. President Donald Trump was a driving force, as well as Melissa McCarthy’s unbridled aggression as press secretary Sean Spicer.

The May 13 episode, however, was a ratings standout in Canada. With McCarthy as host, it was the ninth most-watched show in the country that week, bringing in 1.46 million viewers. In the U.S., an average of 10.3 million tuned in.

But as expected, the No. 1 show in Canada was the season finale of The Big Bang Theory. A full 3.7 million watched Sheldon (Jim Parsons) propose to long-suffering girlfriend Amy (Mayim Bialik).

Big Bang also ruled in the major local markets: Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal and the Greater Toronto Area.

Two days after the season finale aired, Bialik was a guest at Parsons’s real-life wedding to his partner of 14 years, graphic designer Todd Spiewak.

“What a wedding,” she wrote on Instagram. “Not a cellphone in sight. Everyone was so present which sounds pretentious but it was truly powerful for us all to just want to be there fully.”

Parsons, of course, will narrate the Big Bang prequel Young Sheldon, starring Iain Armitage and debuting this fall on CBS.

Here are the top programs in Canada for the week of May 8-14, the most recent ratings available, courtesy of audience measurement organization Numeris:

1. The Big Bang Theory (Thurs., 8-8:30 p.m. ET), CTV

2. Survivor, Global

3. NCIS, Global

4. The Big Bang Theory (Thurs., 8:30-9 p.m. ET), CTV

5. Grey’s Anatomy, CTV

6. NHL Playoffs Round 3, CBC

6. Designated Survivor, CTV (tie)

8. Criminal Minds, CTV

9. Saturday Night Live, Global

10. NCIS: Los Angeles, Global

11. Bull, Global

12. NHL Playoffs Round 2, CBC

13. NCIS: New Orleans, Global

14. MasterChef Canada, CTV

15. Chicago Med, Global

16. Hawaii Five-0, Global

17. The Amazing Race, CTV

18. Lucifer, CTV

19. NHL Playoffs Round 2, Sportsnet National

20. CTV Evening News, CTV

21. The Blacklist, Global

22. Chicago P.D., Global

23. Scorpion, City

24. Big Brother Canada (Wed.), Global

25. The Voice, CTV

26. Chicago Justice, Global

27. CTV Evening News Weekend, CTV

28. Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., CTV

29. CTV National News, CTV

30. Chicago Fire, Global

]]>http://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/telly-with-melly-canadian-ratings-for-the-week-of-may-8-14/feed0Saturday Night Live - Season 42mhank2012Telly With Melly for May 25: Live With Kelly and Ryan comes to Canadahttp://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/telly-with-melly-for-may-25-live-with-kelly-and-ryan-comes-to-canada
http://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/telly-with-melly-for-may-25-live-with-kelly-and-ryan-comes-to-canada#respondFri, 23 Jun 2017 19:45:16 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=764519]]>Live With Kelly and Ryan is going Canadian again — just in time for the country’s 150th birthday. Fresh off the addition of Ryan Seacrest as its new co-host, the morning talk show will trot across the border for two episodes filmed at the Oakes Garden Theatre in Niagara Falls, Ont.

The show visited the city in 1996, with then-hosts Regis Philbin and Kathie Lee, and in 2006 with Philbin and current co-host Kelly Ripa.

“Live has had a wonderful relationship with the city and the people of Niagara Falls. Our two previous visits are among out favourite Live remote broadcasts,” executive producer Michael Gelman said in a statement.

The next day, America’s Got Talent judge Howie Mandel and former Castle star Nathan Fillion are the guests — they’re from Toronto and Edmonton, respectively. Taking the stage is rapper French Montana, who performs his latest single Unforgettable with Swae Lee.

Fans can get tickets to the broadcasts at KellyandRyan.com.

Live With Kelly and Ryan added Seacrest earlier this month, replacing former NFL player Michael Strahan after a series of guest co-hosts. The one-two punch of Ripa and Seacrest was a hit with viewers when the revamped lineup debuted — ratings were the show’s highest in nine weeks in the U.S., up 18 per cent over the previous week. Live airs on ABC and CTV.

Retro grade

Talk about a Throwback Thursday. Fox and City debut two retro-tastic game shows tonight: Beat Shazam, an updated Name That Tune, and Love Connection.

Jamie Foxx hosts Beat Shazam, in which teams of two battle each other to see who can identify hit songs first. The winners go up against the song identification app Shazam for the chance to win a cash prize.

Love Connection follows, with Andy Cohen hosting. The Cupid-approved show features single men and women looking for someone who transforms them into human heart-eye emojis. The singles and their matches dish on their dates, and if the single chooses the same match as the audience he or she get $10,000. If not, they must choose between love or money.

A travesty of Justice?

Apparently airing four shows from a TV franchise in the same season makes for market saturation. Who knew?

To wit, NBC has cancelled Chicago Justice — the youngest in the set of shows including Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D. and Chicago Med — after just one season. All the other Chicagos survived the cut. Chicago Justice debuted March 1 with 8.7 million U.S. viewers, but wrapped up May 14 with 5.7 million.

]]>http://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/telly-with-melly-for-may-25-live-with-kelly-and-ryan-comes-to-canada/feed0Live With Kelly and Ryanmhank2012Telly with Melly for May 24: 12 Monkeys, Archer and morehttp://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/telly-with-melly-for-may-24-12-monkeys-archer-and-more
http://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/telly-with-melly-for-may-24-12-monkeys-archer-and-more#respondFri, 23 Jun 2017 19:39:28 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=764515]]>In an ideal world, 12 Monkeys would be a tinderbox drama set deep in an African jungle, where poop-throwing triggers societal unrest on a daily basis. But until then, we have the Showcase sci-fi series based on the like-named 1995 film, returning Wednesday for a third season.

When we left off, Cassandra Railly (Amanda Schull) realized that her son with James Cole (Aaron Stanford) will become the evil leader The Witness.

“Season 3 takes place months after the big bombshell of season 2,” executive producer Terry Matalas told Entertainment Weekly. “It’s where we’re going to catch up with Cole’s search for Cassie and what life has been like in Titan in the future for her, and there are quite a few surprises for both those characters pretty early on.”

Season 3 will also summon new villains. Magdalena (Hannah Waddingham) will be the leader of The Guardians, who must protect the child throughout time. Christopher Lloyd also guest-stars as the husband of Vivian Rutledge and the father of Pallid Man.

“In our sixth episode of the season — which has the return of Agent Gale from last year, Jay Karnes — we get to see the birth of the Army of the 12 Monkeys and how the cult came together,” Matalas said.

“The episode guest stars Christopher Lloyd, who plays the recruiter for them. The episode really dives into religious beliefs and cults and what kind of person would be drawn to this particular philosophy of time.”

Dream a little dream

Archer’s eighth season, a tribute to film noir titled Archer: Dreamland, wraps up Wednesday on FXX. In the episode Auflösung, the titular spy voiced by H. Jon Benjamin gets a break that finally leads him to Woodhouse’s killer.

This season has taken viewers deep into Sterling Archer’s subconsciousness as he lies in a coma in “real” life. It’s a creatively freeing setup that lets characters adopt alternative personas and, as always, get up to all manner of hijinks and hooliganry.

“It’s pretty much the same tone, even though the setting changes. The idea is to keep Archer pretty much the same as possible,” Benjamin told U.S. TV station KSDK.

The show has been renewed through season 10.

Just ducky

Lin-Manuel Miranda — he of three Tony Awards, two Grammys, an Emmy, a Pulitzer Prize and a partridge in a pear tree — has revealed his next Very Important Gig. Ready? It’s DuckTales.

The Hamilton creator will voice the superhero Gizmoduck for the upcoming Disney XD reboot. Gizmoduck’s true identity is Fenton Crackshell-Cabrera, a smart intern working for the mad scientist Gyro Gearloose. The show debuts this summer.

]]>http://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/telly-with-melly-for-may-24-12-monkeys-archer-and-more/feed012 Monkeys - Season 3mhank2012Urban Vegetarian’s Desiree Nielsen busts 4 myths about plant-eatershttp://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/urban-vegetarians-desiree-nielsen-busts-4-myths-about-plant-eaters
http://o.canada.com/entertainment/television/urban-vegetarians-desiree-nielsen-busts-4-myths-about-plant-eaters#respondFri, 23 Jun 2017 19:32:02 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=764124]]>When it comes to being a vegetarian, sometimes it’s just not that easy being green. And it doesn’t help that saying you eat a plant-based diet can get you shunned quicker than pasta at a supermodel’s dress fitting.

Researchers at the University of Calgary and Brock University found that meat eaters judged plant eaters particularly harshly.

“Strikingly, only drug addicts were evaluated more negatively than vegetarians and vegans,” they wrote in the 2015 paper It Ain’t Easy Eating Greens.

Still, according to a Vancouver Humane Society poll that same year, 8 per cent of Canadians say they’re vegetarian or mostly vegetarian, and another 25 per cent claim they’re trying to eat less meat.

For Vancouver-based dietitian Desiree Nielsen, who hosts the cooking show The Urban Vegetarian (airing Fridays on Gusto), the path to vegetarianism wasn’t exactly as smooth as the cashew sauce she tenderly pours on her sweet potato noodles.

“I’d love to say that I had some amazing, noble vision for my vegetarianism, but in all honesty, I was a teenage girl and there was a boy that I liked who was vegetarian, and it was just to impress him,” she says.

“I thought that I was at the height of vegetarian health and sophistication, but in all honesty I started out like many people do. It was veggie dogs and macaroni and cheese, tons of potato chips and pots of raisins. I would go through these huge tubs of raisins all the time.”

“I thought that I was at the height of vegetarian health and sophistication, but in all honesty I started out like many people do.”

Soon after going vegetarian, Nielsen tried being vegan — but, without knowing what foods to eat and lacking the cooking skills, it was short-lived. Hunger is a strong persuader.

Now, she says, “Whereas my diet veers closer to a vegan diet, I’m not strict about anything. But I know how to put protein on my plate and give my body what it needs.”

Nielsen knows the benefits. She says people who eat more plant-centred diets maintain a healthy weight more easily, and they tend to have a lower risk of chronic disease over time.

“The other thing a lot of people don’t really think about is sustainability, that it’s more efficient in terms of land use, particularly water usage, to get your energy from plant foods. Animal agriculture is super water intensive.”

Nielsen, who’s also written the book Un-Junk Your Diet, debunked four myths about vegetarianism for Postmedia News:

Desiree Nielsen hosts the Gusto cooking show The Urban Vegetarian

1. You won’t get enough protein

“The literature shows that even the average vegetarian still gets way more protein that’s necessary for human health. Vegans typically meet the protein requirements that are needed as well … Vegetarians can absolutely get enough protein with legumes, nuts, tofu — it’s so easy. It just takes that little bit of awareness. Like, ‘Oh I’m making a pasta for myself, let’s do a white bean. Or let’s do a ground tofu in the sauce.’”

2. You need expensive or hard-to-find ingredients

“I think when we think healthy, we think of all the fancy stuff. We think of the $10 green juices or the goji berry granolas. But really at their heart, vegetarian staple foods are what people the world over eat as sustenance. Beans, grains and basic veggies are incredibly inexpensive, and that’s where the cooking comes in. How do you take beans and rice and a bit of broccoli and make it amazing? It’s knowing your spices and knowing how to cook them.”

“I think when we think healthy, we think of all the fancy stuff.”

3. You can eat unlimited cheese and chips

“I think that’s a big myth around vegetarianism — that it’s instantly healthier. If you’re a healthy vegetarian, then absolutely you can be a junk-food, cheesy-carb vegetarian, or you can be an Oreo- and candy-obsessed vegan. So for everyone, the focus has to be those whole plant foods. Even as a flexitarian, you can have a few vegetarian meals, but the more you’re putting those plant foods on your plate, the healthier you will be.”

4. Plant-eaters eat perfectly all the time

“I went through this when I first became a vegetarian. You get so excited about the choice that you made. You’re filled with so much information and you just want everyone in the world to know it … It’s one of the reasons that when people are interested in vegetarianism but don’t know if they can fully commit, I say, ‘Then don’t fully commit. Could you do your breakfasts and lunches vegetarian? Or could you do three vegetarian meals a week?’

“And then it’s just about playing with the food, having fun in the kitchen and seeing what happens. Do you feel better? Do you feel healthier? Is it less expensive? Then keep moving on the path. But if you keep having that steak twice a month, and that’s what keeps you mostly vegetarian, that’s awesome, too.”

As the nation turns 150, we asked Canadian music industry experts — from musicians and label executives to major event organizers — to discuss the artists that planted their own flags in Canada’s key cultural communities. Here is a snapshot of the musicians they feel have defined and inspired each city. In our second edition, we look at the West and the North.

Winnipeg

Allan Reid, president & CEO, CARAS, the JUNO Awards & MusiCounts:

Burton Cummings — “Undeniably had an incredible career here at home and abroad. From The Guess Who, to a solo career, to even having a theatre in Winnipeg named after him.”

Fred Penner, children’s music performer & Winnipeg native: “Winnipeg is the city of great beginnings. An amazing range of musical talent grew-up in this vibrant prairie city.”

The Guess Who — “From Friday night gigs at community centres to the international market, The Guess Who made a lasting mark in the world of music. Songs that captured the energy and imagination of the ‘60s generation and have stood the test of time. The band gave dozens of prairie musicians the opportunity to hone their skills.”

Lenny Breau: “One of most incredible guitarists on the planet. A unique style that set him apart from guitarists around the world. Revered by musicians from Chet Atkins to Pat Metheny.”

Loreena McKennitt: “(She) followed her intuition in a very competitive business and built Quinlan Road, an independent record label, a direction that few other musicians have attempted. Her sensitive music touched a global audience.”

Robyn Stewart, executive director of western Canadian Music Alliance, which runs BreakOut West: Canadian Music Festival & Conference and music awards:

Randy Bachman, Bachman-Turner Overdrive — “pioneers and one of the early ones to breakout internationally.”

Neil Young — “There’s a certain pride that he was here, even if only for a certain time.”

The Weakerthans and John K. Samson — “Current and still having a major (influence.)”

Alan Cross, Canadian music historian and radio host:

Burton Cummings, Streetheart (two members went on to become Loverboy), and Harlequin.

Randy Bachman (left) and Burton Cummings of The Guess Who [The Canadian Press]

Saskatoon

Stewart:

The Northern Pikes — “They fell at a time when there were a couple artists along a similar vein, but they built their career there and never left … and (are), always incredibly humble.”

The Sheepdogs — “An image for the future of music (because), they hit it big in unique ways … showing you don’t have to be from Toronto or New York to have career, and make it on the cover of the Rolling Stone.”

Regina

Stewart:

Buffy Sainte-Marie — “She was a pillar for a lot of the indigenous artists we see today and a lot of the recognitions for indigenous (music).”

Calgary

Reid:

Jann Arden — “She has been making successful music for over 25 years and she still lives in the city that she was born in.”

Jack Ross, CEO, United Talent Agency

Paul Brandt — “Canada’s most successful male country artist started his Hall of Fame career at the city’s famed Calgary Stampede and then sold millions of records across North America. Paul’s mega-hit Alberta Bound has become the unofficial provincial anthem.”

Stewart:

Nickelback — “They are the band everyone loves to hate, but it is hard not to recognize them as influencers.”

Other: Paul Brandt, Ian Tyson, Joni Mitchell (born in Fort Macleod, went to post-secondary school in Calgary and got her start in the local folk scene)

Cross:

Loverboy, Jann Arden, Feist, Tegan and Sara

Tegan and Sara [PNG]

Edmonton

Stewart:

k.d. lang: “a massive effect on the careers of so many artists”

Other: Captain Tractor (folk-rock)

Cross:

SNFU (hardcore punk band)

Victoria, B.C.

Leeroy Stagger, alt-country musician and Vancouver Island native:

Hot Hot Heat — “These guys deserve so much more credit for kick-starting the indie rock craze that started in the early 2000s. Listen to records from the Bravery, Interpol and so many more hop bands from this era who have so obviously been influenced by Hot Hot Heat. They inspired me to learn the credit of song writing and performing — sometimes what not to do too! Ha.”

The Dayglo Abortions — “Easily one of the greatest contributions to Canadian punk rock. They pushed envelopes and stood up to censorship in this country early on so that we don’t have to do. Dayglos were and still are some of the heaviest and hardest bands going, they are still out there challenging the norms of society.”

No Means No — “One of the hardest touring and interesting bands to come off the island. They’ve just called it quits last year, decades after they began. There’s something about growing up on an island that makes you want to leave and see the world; No Means No is a testament to that ideal.”

Stewart:

D.O.A. and No Means No — “Influenced artists across the country in the punk era.”

Brian Smith and Ra MaGuire of the 70’s Rock band Trooper [Ottawa Citizen]

Vancouver

Stewart:

Dan Mangan — Top of mind when thinking about, “artists that have made the biggest impact (on the), future of (western Canadian), music” and has been a “difference maker” in the careers of musicians around him.

Other: 54-40

Cross:

Trooper — “Say what you want about them, but they are one of the longest lasting of Canadian rock bands.”

Other: New Pornographers, 54-40

Reid:

Bryan Adams — “While he moves around the country, his success is synonymous with Vancouver.”

The North

Eric Alper, publicist and music commentator:

Tanya Tagaq (Cambridge Bay, Iqaluktuutiaq, Nunavut) – “After hinting at things to come with three accomplished albums, she followed up Animism with Retribution, an even more musically aggressive, more aggressively political, more challenging, more spine tingling, more powerful masterpiece. When critics around the world talk about the successful Canadian sound, I don’t think of Drake, Justin Bieber, or The Weeknd, I think of Tanya Tagaq.”

Stewart:

Tagaq — “She is claimed by two provinces and two territories … has had a massive career trajectory, won the Polaris Prize … and is a beacon for indigenous genres.”

As the nation turns 150, we asked Canadian music industry experts — from musicians and label executives to major event organizers — to discuss the artists that planted their own flags in Canada’s key cultural communities. Here is a snapshot of the musicians they feel have defined and inspired each city. In the first of a two-part series, we examine Central and Eastern Canada, and take a broader look at Indigenous music.

EAST COAST

Halifax

Eric Alper, publicist and music commentator:

Sloan — “They came, they changed, they’re still here. Eleven LPs, two EPs, a live album, a Greatest Hits album and more than 30 singles. Pure pop throughout their entire history, all the more remarkable as they share songwriting with each member of the group and their unaltered lineup throughout their career. Nothing but hooks, harmonies and kind, nice guys to boot, too.”

Alan Cross, Canadian music historian and radio host:

Sloan, Eric’s Trip, Thrush Hermit

St. John’s

Allan Reid, president & CEO, CARAS, The JUNO Awards & MusiCounts:

Ron Hynes — “The man of a thousand songs. He spoke about the hardships and love of the East Coast.”

Steve Kane, president, Warner Music Canada:

Great Big Sea — “If you can’t get to St. John’s, the good news is that Great Big Sea could be counted on to bring a bit of their town to you.”

Jack Ross, CEO, Canada, United Talent Agency:

Great Big Sea — “Canada’s most successful purveyors of Celtic roots music, took the traditional music and the CanRock they grew up with and made it POP for Canadians from coast to coast.”

Bassist Geddy Lee of Rush [Montreal Gazette]

CENTRAL CANADA

Toronto

Cross:

Rush — You know you’re important when you’ve “been around for 40 plus years, and they’re naming parks after you.”

Alper:

Broken Social Scene — “You couldn’t have made up a group like Broken Social Scene. Take as few as six and as many as 19 members, all talented beyond belief, led by the adaptable and dedicated teacher, trainer, boss and friend to all, Kevin Drew. How many bands can you name do traditional big-league late-night TV shows, organize giant music festivals, create mind-bending videos, and yet, still have credibility with the Pitchforks of the world? I’ll answer. One. And it’s them.”

Reid:

Drake — “He has put the city on the international map. He didn’t leave Toronto to become famous. He built his incredible business infrastructure here at home.”

Kane:

Blue Rodeo — “From the early days at the Horseshoe Tavern to the annual August show at the Budweiser Stage to the fact that they still pop up on stages throughout the city. Their songs are filled with images of the city. The fact that they’ve given a leg up to so many other Toronto bands just make them all the more special.”

Ross:

Blue Rodeo — Part of the fabric of Canadian culture. The home address of the Canadian Music Business is Queen and Spadina and that is where you find Blue Rodeo. Jim Cuddy’s crew started a indie rock revolution that spawned The Tragically Hip, Barenaked Ladies, Cowboy Junkies and eventually Broken Social Scene etc.

Alanis Morissette [PNG]

Ottawa

Reid:

Alanis Morissette — “She redefined women in music and empowered women around the world.”

Cross:

Hollerado, Bruce Cockburn

Montreal

Reid:

Celine Dion — “She is undeniably an international/global success. She is the world’s best-selling female artist!”

Cross:

Celine Dion — “One of the biggest stars ever in the history of Quebec.”

Arcade Fire — “One of the few bands to emerge anywhere in the world (in recent years), able to fill in an arena.”

Arkells [WENN]

Hamilton

Ross:

Arkells — Since graduating from McMaster University together a decade ago, this acclaimed rock ‘n’ roll band has represented the workman-like pride of Hamilton and led an artistic renaissance in the Brooklyn of Canada.

Cross:

Teenage Head

London

Cross:

The Demics (punk), Kittie (all female heavy metal band)

Kingston

Cross:

Tragically Hip, Bryan Adams, The Inbreds

Don Amero []

Sidebar: Indigenous Music

Indigenous artists deserve a category unto their own. As acclaimed children’s music performer Fred Penner explains, “Truly there are a wealth of amazing indigenous players celebrating the power of music as they move into every aspect of the diverse Canadian scene.” Here are three of his personal favourites:

Errol Ranville and his band C-Weed: “For more than 40 years, they carved a new path for Aboriginal music while bringing other young Aboriginal artists to the mainstream. Errol remains a passionate advocate for the Aboriginal music community of Canada.”

Eagle & Hawk: “Since 1995, Vince Fontaine has led this powerful group with indigenous energy and emotion. Traditional and contemporary, their engaging eclectic style has swept across North America and Europe.”

Don Amero: “Relatively new on the scene, Don has established himself as a solid, talented guitarist and song writer. His gentle spirit is captivating. Excited to watch his progress and his inspiration to a new generation.”